Surname Bärtele - Meaning and Origin
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Bärtele: What does the surname Bärtele mean?
The last name Bärtele is of German origin and has a long history. It is believed to have initially derived from the German word ‘Bartel’ meaning ‘ploughman’, suggesting the name origins in an occupation or profession.
The suffix -el or -le is a diminutive suffix, often signifying offspring, so that it may have developed from another root, such as daughter, son, or little, often signifying a son of ‘Bart’, the diminutive of the German name Bartholomäus.
In its early form, the surname Bärtele was found mainly across the Germanic Empire, especially in Lower Saxony where it was particularly widespread.
By the nineteenth century, surnames reflecting professions were all but wiped out as German families sought opportunities in foreign lands, with many Bärtele families becoming spread across the world from Europe to the United States and Canada.
In the modern times, the name retains its connection to Germany, and the current population of people with the surname Bärtele is estimated to be around 10,000.
While derivatives of the surname exist, such as Bärtel and Bartel, the original spelling of Bärtele has retained its unique pronunciation, rhyming with 'fertile' and 'sterile', making it easily recognisable all over the world.
Order DNA origin analysisBärtele: Where does the name Bärtele come from?
The last name Bärtele is common today throughout Germany. It is also common in Liechtenstein and Austria. In Switzerland, the frequency of the name is on the rise, but has not yet become as common as in the other three countries.
In Germany, the name is mainly located in the states of Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Hesse and North-Rhine Westphalia. The highest concentration of Bärtelean appear to be located in the Bavarian county of Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
The name Bärtele is derived from the Middle High German figures "martel" and "bertel." These figures were often used by farmers on coats of arms. The first recorded mention of the surname came in 1651, when a Hans Bärtele appeared in Mehltheuer near Munich.
More recently, Bärteleans have become increasingly mobile owing to the rise of employment opportunities and improved transportation networks. This has led to a greater presence of the Bärtele name in other countries, but it remains most common in German-speaking countries.
The last name Bärtele is also very common within the world of media and show business. Prominent family members include Obsevatory's Thomas Bärtele, Bavarian singer/songwriter Stephan Bärtele and Swiss political figure Ueli Bärtele.
Given the size of Germany and the presence of the name in multiple countries, it can be said that the name Bärtele is common today.
Variations of the surname Bärtele
The surname Bärtele has multiple variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The most common variant spelling of the surname is Bertele, which is also the most modernized version of the name. Other variant spellings include Bärtele, Bährtel, Bährtler, Bährteling, Bärtle, Bertell, Berquelle, and Bärtling.
Additionally, certain surnames are derived from the original Bärtele. Bärtels and Bärtelsdörfer are both derived from the original surname, as are Bärtelsen and Betzler. Bärtens and Bärtensdörfer are also variations of the name, as is Bärteler. Börtel, Börtling, Börtler, and Börtling are all considered to be valid variants of Bärtele.
Variants of the surname found in foreign countries include Bärtelli and Barteli from Italy, Bertheliot from France, and Bertelis from Latvia. In the Netherlands, two additional variants are seen, which are Bartelle and Bertel. In addition, England has its own version of the surname, which is called Bartle.
The origins of the surname Bärtele stem from its use as a nickname for a person who often interacted with bears. Over time, the use of the surname as a nickname evolved into its use as a hereditary surname. Today, it is located in many countries all over the world, and the variant spellings make it possible for many different spellings of the same surname to exist.
Famous people with the name Bärtele
- Norbert Bärtele, German lawyer, politician and author
- Georg Bärtele, Swiss painter
- August Bärtele, German sculptor
- Wolfgang Bärtele, German actor
- Julius Bärtele, German architect
- Ewald Bärtele, German politician
- Rudolf Bärtele, German photographer
- Theresa Bärtele, German singer
- Wilma Bärtele, German cyclist
- Beatrice Bärtele, Swiss dancer