Surname Bärtle - Meaning and Origin
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Bärtle: What does the surname Bärtle mean?
The last name Bärtle is derived from the German word “bärtel” which literally means “a beard”. The name is thought to have first appeared as an occupational name for someone who was a barber or one who shaved beards.
The name likely originated in the 17th century in Germany, when many people wanted to get rid of their beards and take on a more modern look. There is also a record of a place called the Bärtle Berg, which dates to the 15th century in what is now known as Baden-Wurttemberg.
The meaning of Bärtle has shifted and evolved throughout the years, and the name can now refer to someone with a light-hearted, gentle attitude. It might also describe a person who is no-nonsense and direct in their words and actions.
Today, a vast majority of people with the last name Bärtle live in Germany and Austria, with smaller concentrations in the United States, Canada, and other European countries.
No matter which definition is attached to the name today, the Bärtle family is proud of their roots and proud to be descended from someone who was once a barber.
Order DNA origin analysisBärtle: Where does the name Bärtle come from?
The last name Bärtle is mainly found in German-speaking countries such as Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and parts of southern France. It is one of the most common surnames in these areas, appearing especially in the region around the river Main in Bavaria. It is also more commonly found in western Austria, particularly the Vorarlberg and Tyrol regions, as well as in Alsace in northeastern France.
The earliest attestations of the surname come from 13th-century Germany, where it was recorded in the form of barltelt (or Bärtlelt), and it was found most frequently in the area around Mainz during this period. It seems to have first spread out from this region along the trade routes of the middle ages, with people carrying their family names with them as they traveled. Since then, the name has been found in various parts of Europe, most notably in Scandinavia and eastern Europe.
It is likely that the name is derived from the middle high German word bertel, meaning ‘a short, stubby person’ and thus, describes a person of short stature. It may have also been given to those living near a place with a distinctive topography, such as a hill with a lot of trees (with the middle high German word barbel meaning ‘a man growing trees’).
The Bärtle family can trace its presence in German-speaking countries for centuries—and, while some members of the family may have settled elsewhere in the world, the last name remains most common in its original homeland.
Variations of the surname Bärtle
The surname Bärtle is derived from the German word "Bartel", and can take on a variety of different variants, spellings, and surnames with the same origin. The most commonly used variants of the surname are Bärtle, Bartel, Bartels, Bartl, and Bartles. Other variants are Bärthle, Bärthl, Bärth, Bartle, Barthl, Barthles, Bartlet, Barthlet, Bartloff, Bartfel, Bartinger, Bartleson, Bartling, and Bartlinski.
The surname Bärtle is quite uncommon in the United States, but can be found primarily among immigrants who originated in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Originally, the surname would have been used as an occupational name for someone who made barrels or owned a barrel making business. Over time, the name was passed down among families, and became an inherited surname.
In some cases, the surname could have been derived from a given name, such as the Germanic "Barthel", which contains the elements "beraht" meaning "bright" or "shining" and "helm" meaning "helmet". Bartles, Bartel and Bartling could have also been derived from "Bartwels" or "Bartholomäus", a German given name composed of the elements "barth" meaning "son of Talmai" and "wolf" meaning "wolf".
The surname Bärtle is also found in other language variations, such as Barytla, Barczykowski, and Bartowiak. Variations of the surname can be found not only in German speaking countries but also in Austria, Poland, Switzerland, and the United States, especially among immigrant descendants.
Famous people with the name Bärtle
- Pierre Bärtle: Swiss DPtheater actor, member of the 'Lerchen & Eulen' comedy duo
- Erika Bärtle: Swiss sculptor and installation artist
- Ruedi Bärtle: Swiss Alpine skier
- Rolf Bärtle: Swiss ski jumping coach
- Albert Bärtle: Swiss pop singer
- Hans Bärtle: Swiss swimmer
- Rudolf Bärtle: Swiss professional swimmer
- Philip-Alexander Bärtle: Swiss professional basketball player
- Hans Bärtle: Swiss meteorologist
- Rudolf Bärtle: Swiss parole officer