Surname Menhard - Meaning and Origin

Menhard: What does the surname Menhard mean?

The last name Menhard is German in origin. It is a combination of two elements, "men", meaning "many" and "hard", meaning "strong". The literal translation means "many strongs". The surname is thought to have been given to a strong leader or a large, powerful family.

Menhard is a very common German surname, and variations of it can be found throughout Europe, especially in Holland, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, and other regions of Germany. A possible related surname is Mennig, which is derived from the same root.

Historically, the Menhard name was often given to individuals of high nobility such as counts and princes. It has also been associated with influential families, such as the powerful Elector of Saxony in the 15th century, George III the Magnificent of Saxony-Lauenburg.

In modern times, the Menhard name is still a popular surname in Germany and other countries of Germanic heritage. It is a symbol of strength and power, and continues to be a mark of honor and respect throughout the world.

Menhard: Where does the name Menhard come from?

The last name Menhard is most commonly found in Germany. The approximate distribution of Menhard in Germany is estimated to be in the region of 11,000 people. The names popularity is highest in the cities of Berlin, Dusseldorf, Hanover and Nuremberg. Outside of Germany, there are an estimated 600 people with the surname Menhard across 20 countries mainly within Europe and North America.

The name may have originated in Bavaria with some records of people bearing the surname as far back as the 1400s. Spellings of the name have varied over time, for example Mannhard, Menhardt and Menard. The first record of the name is believed to be a Mr. Heinrich Menhart who lived in Schonbrunn between 1390 and 1430.

Given its origin, it is likely that this surname has French roots and could be derived from the Old French name ‘Manhard’. This was a personal name derived from the Germanic elements ‘mann’ and ‘hard’ meaning ‘brave man’. It is possible that the surname Menhard is a patronymic of Mannhard.

The surname’s prevalence is declining across Europe, but it is still found within Germany and many countries around the world.

Variations of the surname Menhard

The surname Menhard is believed to have originated from the German region of Bavaria. The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin that stem from this surname include the following:

Manhardt: This variant is the same as Menhard, but with a double “t” at the end.

Mennard: This is a variant of Menhard that was likely created by dropping the extra “h” that was already present.

Minehart: This variation features a muted “e” instead of the “a” in Menhard.

Mennert: This spelling is identical to Menhard except for the final letter being an “r” instead of a “d.”

Meinhardt: This variant simply omits the extra “n” from Menhard.

Meinhart: This surname is identical to Minehart, except for featuring an extra “n.”

Mennharrd: This is a more recent spelling of Menhard that adds an extra “h” in the middle of the name.

Minnhart: This surname features a “i” instead of an “a” in the center of the name.

Mannerd: This spelling is nearly the same as Menhard, except for a single letter change to the end of the name.

Manard: This is a shortened version of Menhard, as it removes the extra “n” in the center of the name.

Mennhard: This is an alternate spelling of Menhard, as it includes the extra “n” in the center of the name.

Meinharrd: This is a variant of Menhard that includes both the extra “n” and the extra “h” in the middle of the name.

Mehnerd: This variation changes the ending letter from “d” to “r” in order to make the Menhard spelling.

Minnard: Another shortened version of Menhard, it removes the extra “h” in the center of the name.

Mennerd: This variant is nearly identical to Menhard, only with an ending letter change.

As far as surnames of the same origin, one may find examples from countries all over the world. For instance, Menahar, Menaharra and Menher in Arabic cultures; Menart, Menard, and Menardin in French language; Manhard, Manhardt, and Mienhardt in German; Menhardi, Minhardi, and Miramard in Italian; and Menardo in Spanish.

Famous people with the name Menhard

• Max Menhard: an Austrian actor who is best known for his starring role in the comedy movie 'Der Prügler' and his appearances in several short films.
• Jenni Menhard: an American actress, most notably known for her role in the Netflix series Hemlock Grove.
• Sonja Menhard: a Swiss actress, who has appeared in numerous films, television series, and theatre productions.
• Kaspar Menhard: a German conductor who has worked with various bands and orchestras, including the Stuttgart Philharmonic Orchestra.
• Adam Menhard: an Australian director and producer, who shot his first feature film 'No Witnesses.'
• Matt Menhard: a Canadian stand-up comedian and host of the 'Matt’s Corner' podcast.
• Abigail Menhard: a British singer and songwriter, most notably for the albums 'As the Night Winters Bring' and 'This Is No Place.'
• John Menhard: an American military man who served as a naval officer in the United States Navy during the Second World War and was one of the main players in the Battle of Midway.
• Steven Menhard: a Canadian composer and arranger of many jazz pieces, including jazz versions of classical pieces such as 'Viva La Vida.'
• Shelly Menhard: an American model who has appeared in several fashion magazines, including Vogue and Harper's Bazaar, and has also made numerous runway appearances.

Other surnames

MenhardtMenhart