Surname Bertold - Meaning and Origin
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Bertold: What does the surname Bertold mean?
The last name Bertold is of German origin, derived from the Old Germanic personal name Berhtold. Its meaning is generally thought to be “bright and daring,” and is comprised of two root words, “berht,” which means “bright or shining,” and “walt,” which means “bold or brave.”
The popularity of the name is historically attributed to Emperor Otto III granting it to his most trusted advisor, Bishop Berthold of Toul in 1000 AD. Since then, this surname has been adopted in various countries and in numerous spellings, including Bartold, Beralt, Bertholdt, Bertolt, Bertolf, Birdt, and Bertaud to name a few.
The Bertold family is typically found among the nobility and upper classes of Europe, and throughout history there has been many illustrious members, including Reinhold Bertold, a 16th century German politician; Friedrich Cornelius Bertold, an 18th century Bohemian military leader; and Ernst Bertold, a 20th century German actor and theater director.
Today, the Bertolds remain an important and influential family whose members can be found in countries all around the world, and is a proud reminder of a storied and accomplished past.
Order DNA origin analysisBertold: Where does the name Bertold come from?
The last name Bertold is most commonly found in Germany today, but it is also found in Austria, Switzerland, and parts of the United States.
Bertold is a German surname that originated from a personal name given to boys. The name is derived from the Germanic name Berthold, meaning 'bright ruler'. This was a popular name in parts of Germany during the Middle Ages, and as such there are many variants of the name, such as Berthold, Berhtold, Bertholt, and Bertolet.
Today Bertold continues to be an established name in Germany, especially in the southern region. In fact, a few well-known personalities have the name, including German astronomer Wilhelm Friedrich Bertold Seidel, German philologist and lexicographer Theodor Bertold, and German painter Walter Bertold.
In the United States, the surname is most commonly found in Pennsylvania, where many German settlers moved during the 1700s. In recent years, the Bertold surname has spread to other parts of the country.
Overall, Bertold is a surname with a long history that is still strongly connected to its Germanic roots. Those bearing the name are proud of its heritage and work to keep the name alive.
Variations of the surname Bertold
The surname Bertold has several variations in spelling and surnames of the same origin. Bertold is a Germanic name that originated in the High Middle Ages and is found mostly in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and other German-speaking countries.
Alternative spellings of Bertold include Berthold, Berteld, Bertolt, Bertholt, and Bertolet. Some other variant surnames are Berend, Berent, Berty, Bierens, Biertel, Birent, Biron, and Birtel.
In addition to continental Germany, the surname is well known in England, especially in Cumbria and Cheshire. Variants Berthol and Burtall can be found in Devon as well as parts of Cornwall. In Scotland, the spelling is Bertal.
In Poland, the variants Bartold, Bartolt, Bartosz, and Bartos are common. In the Netherlands, the surname is usually Bertald. Variants Bartsch, Bolly and Bulle can also be found in parts of Germany.
The form Beret is found in France, Belgium, Switzerland, Brazil, Portugal, and Canada. In the United States, the surname is typically spelled Berthold, Bertol, Bertoll, Berolet, Berthoff, Bertule, Birdwell, or Bertolone.
The surname Bertold is derived from the Middle German "berht" and "hold" which means "bright and bold". It is a common name among Roman Catholic Jews.
Famous people with the name Bertold
- Bertolt Brecht: German poet, playwright, and theatre director who developed a form of epic theatre known as the “Brechtian Theatre” which is still used today.
- Heinz Bertold: German actor known for his TV and film roles in the 1930s and 1940s.
- Hans Bertold: German composer from the early 20th century, who wrote several popular songs which are still sung today.
- Max Bertold: Germansilversmith who is known particularly for his handcraft jewelry.
- Irmgard Bertold: German boardgame designer, and creator of boardgames for children.
- Ellinor Bertold: Swiss actress, most known for her roles in silent films.
- Victor Bertold: Swiss sculptor who was part of the Brücke movement.
- Lydia Bertold: German artist and architect who specialized in concrete architecture.
- Ilse Bertold: German architect and part of the Bauhaus movement who is known for her furniture designs.
- Gertrude Bertold: German expressionist painter who was also a leading member of the New Objectivity movement.