Surname Lenhardt - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'L'
Lenhardt: What does the surname Lenhardt mean?
The last name Lenhardt is of German origin and is believed to be an occupational surname. It is derived from the German words “len” meaning “lion” and “hardt” meaning ‘hard-working’. Thus, the combination of these two words translates to “the hardworking lion” or “the strong lion”. This surname was likely given to someone from a long lineage of people who had the skillset of being strong workers, taking on difficult tasks, and overcoming obstacles.
The Lenhardt family is said to have originated in what is now Southern Germany. From there, the family spread across Europe, most notably settling in France. The Lenhardts are an old family and can trace their lineage back to the Medieval Period. Today, the name is most common in Bavaria, but can also be found in other parts of Germany.
The Lenhardt surname can be found in various countries around the world, due to immigration in the 19th and 20th centuries. In the United States, the Lenhardt surname is most common in New York, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. Additionally, several Lenhardt-derived surnames, such as Lenard and Lentz, can be found in other countries.
The Lenhardt surname is a source of pride for many families. It is a reminder of the strength and perseverance of the Lenhardt family’s ancestors, and it is an indication of generations of strength and hard-working individuals.
Order DNA origin analysisLenhardt: Where does the name Lenhardt come from?
Lenhardt is a surname of German origin, common throughout Europe but particularly in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and other countries that were previously part of the German Empire.
The family name is still quite common in Germany and Austria where it was recorded in large numbers in relation to the 1871 German census. Records of the name have been found in various areas of the Holy Roman Empire including the countries of Oldenburg, Saxony, Bohemia, Prussia, and Bavaria.
Outside of Germany, Lenhardt is also common in the United States, where immigrants from Germany and other countries of Central and Eastern Europe brought their own, unique linguistic and cultural histories. In 2018, the Lenhardt surname ranked 24,245 on the list of the most commonly occurring last names, with approximately 1, Brost per million inhabitants in the United States.
The Lenhardt family is found in all parts of the United States, including the Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, and West Coast. Though there are far fewer Lenhardt families in the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe, the surname remains popular in countries like Poland and Romania as well.
Variations of the surname Lenhardt
The surname Lenhardt or its various variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include:
Lenhart/Lenhartt, Lennard/Lennardt, Lenard/Lenardt, Leonard/Leonardt, Leonhard/Leonhardt, Lionhart, leinhard, Lynehart, Lionhard and Leinhardt. Each of these may be found with different spellings, such as with, without a double 't' at the end (e.g. Lennhard vs. Lennhardt), or with added 'e's (e.g. Lenharrde), hence the above list includes multiple spelling variants of the same original surname.
The surname Lenhardt is most likely of German origin, stemming from the root "leonhard", which comes from two elements- "leo" (meaning lion) and "hard" (meaning hardy, brave and strong).
The original Lenhardt line are thought to have emigrated from their home in Germany to North America in the mid-1800's, settling in the USA and Canada. It is also found in countries throughout Europe including Luxembourg, Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.
The common thread that binds each of these surnames and spelling variants is the original meaning of lion and strength. Those with Lenhardt, Lenhart, Leonard, Lionhart, Lenhard, Lennard and variants of these names have a strong sense of tradition and may be proud of their heritage as descendants of the original Lenhardt line. Even those with slight spelling variants of the surname may have the capacity to trace their ancestry back to Germany, providing an opportunity to build an understanding of their family's origins.
Famous people with the name Lenhardt
- Kurt Lenhardt, German politician
- Andrew Lenhardt, basketball player
- Franz Lenhardt, Austrian actor
- Paul Lenhardt, Australian sports marksman
- Budapesti Lenhardt János, Hungarian poet
- Charles Edward Lenhardt, American photographer
- Mateusz Lenhardt, Polish professional football player
- Mary Lenhardt, renowned wildlife artist
- Peter Lenhardt, German inventor and innovator
- Carina Lenhardt, award-winning German director and photographer