Surname Lauth - Meaning and Origin
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Lauth: What does the surname Lauth mean?
The last name Lauth is a German name of aristocratic origin. It is primarily found in the east of Germany and is derived from the Old High German word "loud" which means "people". The Lauth family dates back to the Middle Ages, and members of the family held positions of power in Germany from the 13th century.
The Lauths had a prestigious status in medieval Germany, and they served as both knights and military officers. The last name is most commonly associated with a well-known 15th century knight, Johann von Lauth, who was known for his bravery. He took part in various battles and had a successful military career.
Throughout the centuries, the Lauth last name has remained a respected family name in Germany. Today, the Lauths are considered to be one of the most influential and celebrated familial lines in German history. The surname is still in use throughout the country, and people bearing the Lauth name often take pride in their history and heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisLauth: Where does the name Lauth come from?
The surname Lauth is of Germanic origin and is derived from the old German words "lodo" meaning "peoples" and "waldo," meaning "power or ruler." While not considered a particularly common surname today, Lauth can be found in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Scandinavia, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Poland.
In Germany, the majority of Lauths are found in the states (Bundesländer) of Schleswig-Holstein, Lower Saxony, and Saxony-Anhalt. The concentration of Lauths in North Germany is also where the name originated, likely dating back to the Middle Ages. In Switzerland, small clusters of Lauths are found in the cantons of Zurich, Basel, and Aargau.
The Lauth surname can also be found in the United States and Canada, with most concentrations of the name found in states such as Illinois, Texas, New York, and Pennsylvania. The earliest known recorded Lauth in the United States was Johann Wilhelm Lauth, who arrived in Indiana in 1845.
Given the origin and distribution of the Lauth name today, it is possible to infer that the surname likely has noble roots, perhaps from a clan of local rulers in various parts of Northern and Central Europe. Nevertheless, Lauth appears to be a moderately uncommon name, though not quite uncommon, due to its spread throughout the Germanic regions of Europe and even in areas of North America.
Variations of the surname Lauth
The surname Lauth is a shortened form of the Old German name Laucht, and its variants include Laut, Lautz, Lawt, Lautt, Lautth, Lauts, Lauths, Lauchtz, and Lauchts. It is most commonly found throughout Germany, although some Swedish and Dutch families have adopted this name.
The origin of the name Lauth can be traced back to the Germanic tribes of the Middle Ages, and it originated as a nickname for a brave or strong person. It may have referred to the strength of a bear (lauch in Old German) or denoted someone who was steadfast, like a loyal soldier.
The name is also believed to be related to the French word Laut, meaning “meadow”, and may have denoted someone who originally lived in a meadow or marshland.
The spelling of the surname Lauth has varied over the centuries. In later records the spelling can be found in its original Old German form of Laucht, as well as its modernized versions of Laut and Lautz. It can also be found in its plural forms of Lauts and Lauths, and even in its shortened form of Lautt or Lautth.
Due to immigration and other historical events, several other surnames have derived from the original name Lauth. Common variations and examples include Lawton, Lauchner, Langston, Langton, Loton, Lotton, Lowton, and Loughnane.
No matter how it’s spelled, the surname Lauth is a proud and noble reminder of the old Germanic people who inhabited the lands of the Medieval period.
Famous people with the name Lauth
- Carl Lauth: an American business executive who is the founder, Chairman, and Chief Investment Officer of Two Harbors Investment Corp.
- Dave Lauth: an American professional ice hockey player who played for several teams including the Anaheim Ducks and the New York Islanders.
- Ryan Lauth: an American professional football player who played for the National Football League's Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills.
- John Lauth: an American semi-professional soccer player who played for the Arizona Sahuaros and the Chicago Fire Premier.
- Hans Lauth: an Austrian-American composer, conductor, and music educator who taught at both the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and the University of Michigan.
- Edward Lauth: a prominent early Philadelphia architect who designed several stately buildings, including the United States Custom House in Philadelphia and the Chichester House in Delaware.
- Gentil Lauth: a French painter and illustrator active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
- Albert Lauth: a German-American sculptor and artist who created several sculptures and busts which are now housed in several prominent establishments, such as the Smithsonian Institution and the National Gallery of Art.
- Jean-Henri Lauth: a pioneering French balloonist who was the first to launch a hydrogen balloon and was a member of the first aerial expedition in history.
- Antoine Lauth: a French Romantic dramatist and poet who wrote several notable plays and poems during the early 19th century.