Fahrendorf Family Lineage

The name Fahrendorf (Varendorp) is originally composed of the Old Low German words “Vara” and “Thorpe.” The vara of the first syllable means “Scots pine” or “pine tree area.” The second syllable corresponds to today's High German form Dorf and originally referred to a settlement grouping of several farmsteads around a main farm. Over the centuries, the spelling of the family name varied. In addition to the originally Latinized Old Low German form de Varenthorpe, there was a Low German form Varendorp and a High German form Va(h)rendorf(f). The invention of print in the 1450s, brought a new permanence to language. The transition – from a largely oral, sound-based, mnemonic world to a primarily visual culture – had profound consequences. In the case of the Fahrendorf lineage, it should be remembered that V, PH, and FF are all pronounced as F and the various versions of the surname are synonymous. In the year 1060 AD, near the Teutoburg Forest of Westphalia there was a very large estate known as “Varatharp.” Geographic locations at that time were usually described by their particular characteristics. In this case “Vara” meaning “pine tree area” was geographically significant because pine trees were quite scarce in that part of Germany until the seventeenth century. The historian Christian Grupen has been able to trace “Varatharp” back to the Roman General Publius Quinctilius Varus, who was defeated by the Cheruscan prince, Arminius, in the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest around 9 AD. The Battle of the Teutoburg Forest occurred when an alliance of Germanic peoples ambushed Roman legions and their auxiliaries. Teutoburg Forest is commonly seen as one of the most important defeats in Roman history, bringing the triumphant period of expansion under Augustus to an abrupt end. The outcome of this battle dissuaded the Romans from their ambition of conquering Germania, and is thus considered one of the most important events in European history. The owner of estate known as “Varatharp” and the first known Fahrendorf was Gerhard de Varendorp who was Leighlord to Philipp, Bishop of Osnabruck around the year 1170. Gerhard I Varendorp is the originator of the “Great Branch” to which our family is (as of yet) unable to be linked. The Great Branch has two major divisions… the Oldenburg Branch came from Schlieswig-Holstien which was once part of Denmark (but is now part of Germany) and the Hannover Branch. The Oldenburg Branch is the Protestant line and the most famous of the lot was Jakob Friedrich von Vahrendorf who was Duke of Oldenburg in the 1700’s. Although descendants of Wilhelm A. Fahrendorf (immigrant to the U.S.) are unable to trace lineage back to this old, noble German family – the likelihood that there is a direct link is strong. The fact that Wilhelm knew these two branches existed is strong evidence that he is somehow part of the Great Branch. In addition, Wilhelm was well aware that his ancestors once carried the title “von” and were part of German nobility – which would have been the case if there was a direct link to the Great Branch. There was also a story from Wilhelm about a Felix Fahrendorf who went to Denmark around 1670 – then years later a grandson of his came back to Germany… which would suggest that Wilhelm is part of the Oldenburg Branch. -Joe Fahrendorf