Borchard History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

The surname Borchard emerged in the ancient German province of Westphalia, which lies between the Rhine and Wesser rivers. Two of the common types of hereditary surnames found in the Westphalia were patronymic surnames, which were derived from the father's given name, and metronymic surnames, which were derived from the mother's given name. The surname Borchard was derived from the old Germanic personal name Burghard, in turn derived from the Old German word "burg," which meant "fortress" or "castle," and "har" or "hari," which meant "army." The second part of the name may also be derived from the Old German word "hard" or "hart," which meant "strong."

Early Origins of the Borchard family

The surname Borchard was first found in Westphalia, where this family was an integral part of a feudal society which would shape modern European history. The -hert ending of this variant of the name comes from "hardt," which meant "brave" in Middle High German. Many prominent branches of the family would strive to make this name renowned as they contributed to the social, economic and political affairs of the region.

Early History of the Borchard family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Borchard research. Another 95 words (7 lines of text) covering the year 1773 is included under the topic Early Borchard History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Borchard Spelling Variations

In the medieval era, many different cultural groups lived in the German states. There are thus many regional variations of German surnames from that era. Westphalians spoke Low German, which is similar to modern Dutch. Many German names carry suffixes that identify where they came from. Others have phrases attached that identify something about the original bearer. Other variations in German names resulted from the fact that medieval scribes worked without the aid of any spelling rules. The spelling variations of the name Borchard include Borchert, Borchers, Borchart, Borchardt and others.

Early Notables of the Borchard family

Another 31 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Borchard Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Borchard migration to the United States +

For many Germans, emigration to North America was an inviting alternative to the trials of life in the old country. From the mid-17th into the present century, thousands of Germans migrated across the Atlantic. They capitalized on the chance to escape poverty and persecution, and to own their own land. After 1650, Germans settled throughout the states of Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. Many also landed in Canada, settling in Ontario or father west on the rich land of the prairies. Among them:

Borchard Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Friedrica Borchard, who arrived in New York in 1850 1
Ferdinand and Auguste Borchard, who landed in New York, NY in 1882

Contemporary Notables of the name Borchard (post 1700) +

Joseph Edward Borchard (b. 1978), American baseball outfielder for the San Francisco Giants
Edwin Borchard (1884-1951), American law professor at Yale University and jurist
Fred J. Borchard, American politician, Circuit Judge in Michigan 10th Circuit, 1958-85; Appointed 1958
Fred L. Borchard, American politician, Circuit Judge in Michigan 10th Circuit, 2001
Ian Borchard (b. 1957), former Australian rules footballer
Lew Ljewitsch "Leo" Borchard (1899-1945), Russian conductor and briefly musical director of the Berlin Philharmonic

Citations +

Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)