Meaning and origin
The last name Conrad has its roots in Germanic origins, derived from the elements "kuoni" meaning "brave" or "bold" and "rad" meaning "counsel." This surname was initially bestowed as a personal name during the early medieval period, eventually evolving into a hereditary family name.
The longer story
The last name Conrad has German origins and is derived from the personal name Konrad. The name Konrad itself is of ancient Germanic origin, coming from the elements "kuoni," meaning "brave" or "bold," and "rad," meaning "counsel" or "advice." The combination of these elements gives the name Conrad the overall meaning of "brave counsel" or "bold advisor."
It is also found in other German-speaking countries, as well as in English-speaking countries such as the United States.
Like many surnames, Conrad has undergone various spelling variations over time, including Konrad, Cunrad, Koonrad, and Kunrad. These variations can be attributed to factors such as regional dialects, immigration patterns, and variations in pronunciation and spelling.
Surname origins are rarely settled: one spelling can have several sources, and families often took a name for reasons nobody wrote down. Check it against the sources below before you rely on it.
#848
Conrad was the 848th most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 40,707 people, about 14 in every 100,000.
Who carries it
Surnames like Conrad
Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.
Check the sources
- Forebears: where Conrad is found around the world
- The Internet Surname Database: a second opinion on the origin
- US Census Bureau: the 2010 surname figures used here
For a name you are serious about, compare the dictionaries: Reaney and Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames; Hanks, Dictionary of American Family Names.