Luther
/ˈluːθər/noun
A German surname and given name, most famously associated with the Protestant reformer Martin Luther.
Did you know?Martin Luther’s surname was historically linked with older Germanic name forms such as Liuthar or Lothar, whose elements referred to people and an army or warrior host.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
Germanic
*liudō
“People; a nation or community”
Proto-Germanic
Germanic
*harjaz
“Army; warrior host”
Old High German
OHG
Liut-hari
“People-army; a personal name formed from communal and military elements”
Medieval German
German
Liuther / Lothar
“Developed personal-name forms related to the older Germanic name tradition”
16th Century
German
Luther
“Surname used by Martin Luther, the Protestant reformer”
Modern English
English
Luther
“A surname or given name, especially referring to Martin Luther”