Surname Markwort - Meaning and Origin
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Markwort: What does the surname Markwort mean?
The name Markwort originates from German, with two possible roots, each with its own unique meaning. The first possibility is that the name derived from Markward, originating from the Old Germanic words ‘marah’, meaning ‘horse’ and ‘waren’, meaning ‘watchman’. Thus, Markward means ‘watchman of the horses’, giving a reference to the family’s origins as horse breeders or stable masters.
The second possible derivation of the name is from the words ‘merki’, meaning ‘boundary stone or marker’ and ‘wurt’ meaning ‘enclosure’ or ‘place’. In that capacity, Markwort would be a person who presided over the boundary markers with regard to property rights and identification. Again, this could point to a noble line of Markworts who oversaw legal boundary disputes.
The Markwort surname has been part of the German culture for centuries and remains a reminder of the family’s proud historical and cultural legacy. Whether arising from horse breeding, property boundary control, or both, the name Markwort embodies the independent spirit of the medieval German settlers in the Old World and those who migrated to later generations in the United States and beyond.
Order DNA origin analysisMarkwort: Where does the name Markwort come from?
The last name Markwort is most commonly found in Germany today. It is thought to have originated from the Middle High German word markwart, meaning “border guard.” While many have immigrated from Germany to other parts of the world, such as the United States, this name remains common in Germany today.
Markwort is among the 30 most common surnames in Germany. It is estimated that approximately 33,000 people in Germany bear this last name, with the majority of them living in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Markwort is also common in states such as Bavaria, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Lower Saxony, and Hesse.
Markwort is more common in western and northern Germany. However, it is still found throughout the country. In East Germany, for example, Markwort is the 32nd most common name, with the highest concentration of people with this surname found in the state of Brandenburg.
Markwort is also a popular name in countries such as Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. It is estimated that there are over 200,000 people with the last name Markwort living on the European continent today.
In the United States, the name Markwort is extremely rare. According to data from the American Last Name Database, only 28 people in the United States have this last name. The vast majority live in California, with a few in Texas, Michigan, and Georgia.
Variations of the surname Markwort
Markwort is a German surname that is found mainly in the region of Silesia in Poland and Saxony in Germany. It is also a variant of the Middle High German surname Marckwurtz or Markwurz, which represents a Germanic personal name composed of elements meaning ‘border’, ‘guard’, and ‘fortress’. This surname is common to many countries in the world including North America, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, South Africa, and many parts of Europe.
Common variants of the surname Markwort include Marckwurtz, Marckwurt, Markwurtz, Markwarth, Markwart, Markwirtz, Markwehrt, Marqwertz, Marcwertz, Markwurcz, Marckvurts, Marckwurtz, Markowartz, Markowertz, Markovirtz, Markovisch, and Markowitz. Other common spellings are Marckwerd, Marckwerth, Marckwirtz, Marcquard, Markuertz, Markawerdt, and Markwartz.
Additional surnames of the same origin include Merckwert, Merkworth, Marcourt, Marcquart, and Markori. Rare spelling variants of the name include Merchurtz, Merskum, Merchwārt, and Merkwartz. All of these surnames are derived from the Middle High German words ‘marka’, meaning ‘protection’ and ‘wurz’, meaning ‘shield’ or ‘fortress’.
In some cases, the surname Markwort has been anglicized to Markwood, Markword, Markward, and Markwardt. These spelling variations became more common in the United States and Canada in the 19th century.
In general, all spelling variants of the surname Markwort, Merkworth, and other surnames of the same origin refer to individuals whose ancestors lived near or near the border of a kingdom or province.
Famous people with the name Markwort
- Angelika Markwort: German journalist, author and publisher
- Franz Markwort: German astronomer
- Hermann Markwort: German physicist
- Jean Markwort: French handball player
- Maximilian Louis Markwort: German politician
- Norbert Markwort: German physicist
- Paul Markwort: German actor, writer and director
- Werner Markwort: German botanist
- Gerhard Markwort: German jurist
- Susanne Markwort: German academic
- Dr. Ernest Markwort: German geologist and paleontologist
- Manfred Markwort: German historian
- Wolf-Dietrich Markwort: German architect
- Anuschka Markwort-Körting: German former politician
- Dr. Helmut Markwort: German veterinarian