Lenhart
A German surname built on a medieval personal name meaning “strong as a lion.”
The #6,242 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 56,382 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Lenhart is a German surname derived from the old given name Leonhard, with many regional spellings such as Lenhart, Leonhardt, and Lenhard. The name ultimately combines elements meaning “lion” and “hard, strong, brave,” so the literal sense is “lion-strong” or “strong lion.” As with many surnames of this type, it began as a hereditary family name from an ancestor’s personal name.
History
The form is especially associated with German-speaking areas and is one of several surname spellings that developed from the popular medieval given name Leonhard. English-language surname books often group it with other continental forms rather than treating it as a separate root. In the United States it is relatively uncommon but well established through German and Central European immigration.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The same name root also gave English the given name Leonard, which shares the same “lion” + “strength” idea.
From the historical record
“Lendrts, m. Lett. Teu. lion strong, 77 Lene,f. Ger. Heb. of Magdala, 32 Lenhart, m. Ger. Teu. lion strong, 77 Lenia,/. Alb. Gr. light, 68 Lenka,f. Slov. Gr. light, 68 Lenny, m. Eng. Teu. lion strong, 77 Lenore,/. Ger. Gr. light, 68 Leno,f. Esth. Gr. light, 68”
— History of Christian Names