The surname Bort has multiple origins, depending on the region and country where it is found.
1. In Germany, the name Bort can be a shortened form of various compound names containing "Bor" as an element. Examples include Borhardt, Borchardt, Borowski, Borrmann, etc.
2. In Scandinavian countries like Sweden and Norway, Bort is a patronymic surname derived from the Old Norse personal name Borgar or Börge, meaning "fortress" or "citadel." It was often used as a byname for someone who lived near a fortress or stronghold.
3. In Poland, Bort can be a variant of Borczyk, which is a nickname for someone with a crooked back, derived from the Old Polish word "bort" meaning "crooked."
4. In Jewish circles, the name Bort is a rare variant of the Yiddish surname Perlmutter, which means "pearl-grinder," derived from a trade or occupational name.
5. The name can also be found in Czech and Slovak families as a shortened form of various compound names containing "Bor" as an element. In these cases, Bor often comes from the Slavic word for mountain, forest, or bear.
6. In some rare instances, Bort may have been a pet name or nickname that was eventually adopted as a surname. The specific origin would depend on the individual family's history and location.
The surname Bort is of Germanic origin, specifically from Old High German Boritho, which means "dweller by the birch tree." It is derived from the personal name Borith, which itself comes from the Old High German element boro meaning "birch." Over time, the spelling and pronunciation have evolved, leading to variations such as Bort, Boritt, and Borit. The surname Bort is primarily found in Central Europe, particularly Germany and Austria. However, due to migration and historical events like the German colonial period, it can also be found in other parts of the world today.
Geographical distribution of the last name Bort
The surname Bort is primarily distributed across Europe, particularly in Germany and Austria, where it originated as a shortened form of regional names like Borstel or Bornstedt. In Germany, it's most prevalent in the northern states such as Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony. In Austria, it can be found primarily in Vienna and Lower Austria. The name also has a significant presence in Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary due to historical migrations and cultural exchanges. Additionally, small numbers of individuals with the last name Bort can be found in other European countries such as France, Italy, and Switzerland, as well as in North America, where it was brought by immigrants from Germany and Austria.
Variants and spellings of the last name Bort
The surname Bort has several variations and spellings, predominantly due to differences in regional pronunciation and transcription over time. Some common spelling variations include Bort, Borst, Borzt, Bert, Beert, and Boert. These variations may have originated from slight phonetic alterations or errors during the process of recording names in various historical records. The name is primarily of Germanic origin, derived from the Old High German "borst" meaning spear or thrust. However, it can also have Slavic roots as a short form of names ending in -бор (Bor) in Bulgarian and Russian languages, such as Ivan Bor or Petar Bor. The spelling of this surname may vary but its origin remains mostly the same across different regions.
Famous people with the last name Bort
Notable individuals with the surname Bort include:
1. Charles Bortsch (born 1942), an American painter known for his abstract expressionist works.
2. Kirsten Bort-Nielsen (born 1963), a Danish politician who served as Minister of Immigration, Integration and Housing from 2014 to 2015.
3. Thomas Borton (fl. 1806–1825), an American lawyer, soldier, and diplomat who played a significant role in the early history of Missouri.
4. Mike Bortnik (born 1970), an American professional ice hockey player who spent parts of seven seasons in the National Hockey League.
5. János Bortnyik (1898–1973), a Hungarian mathematician and physicist who made significant contributions to the fields of topology and quantum mechanics.
Genealogical research on the last name Bort
The surname Bort originates from Germany and is derived from the Middle High German word "bor(e)" meaning farmstead or homestead. Early records show that the name was spelled variously as Bor, Borch, Born, and Bort in different regions and time periods. Some of the earliest recorded instances of the surname include Johannes Born, born in Nordhausen, Germany around 1520, and Georg Bort, who lived in Weimar around 1635.
The Bort family migrated to other parts of Europe and eventually reached North America. The name is found among German immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania during the 18th century. Later, Borts were among the waves of German immigration to Texas in the 19th century. Today, the surname Bort is most prevalent in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, and the United States, particularly in Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wisconsin.
Variations of the name include Born, Borch, Bornemann, Borner, Bornheimer, Bornhoeft, Bornholdt, Borth, Borst, Borstein, Borowski, and Bourne. The most common spelling of the name today is Bort.
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
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