Surname Baedeker - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'B'
Baedeker: What does the surname Baedeker mean?
The last name Baedeker is a German surname derived from a occupational name meaning "maker of travel guides". The surname originates from the Baedeker publishing house, established by Karl Baedeker in 1827.
The Baedeker family started in Essen, Germany, where Karl Baedeker was born. His father was a schoolmaster and publisher of locally-made books and maps. After gaining an education in geography and cartography, Karl established the Baedeker publishing house and began producing guidebooks about travels throughout Europe and eventually the world. These guidebooks contained detailed maps, exact itineraries for travelers, and information on cities, towns, and attractions. Baedeker's guidebooks provided travelers with the necessary information to travel independently and safely.
The Baedeker name has since become synonymous with high quality travel guides. His family legacy continues to be carried on in his descendant's continually expanding guidebook series, the Baedeker Handbooks. The publishing house remains in the family today, headed by Norwegian publisher Baedeker Media, the publishing arm of the fifth generation of the Baedeker family.
It is no surprise that this prominent family name stands for guidance and exploration. Just as its namesake implies, the last name Baedeker signifies an admiration for both the journey and the destination.
Order DNA origin analysisBaedeker: Where does the name Baedeker come from?
The last name Baedeker is a German surname that is still quite common today in parts of Europe. It was first recorded in the 15th century and likely originates from the German word “bedecker,” which was a term for a person who served as a kind of overseer or administrator.
The surname Baedeker is especially common in Germany, where it is one of the fifty most frequent surnames. It is also found in other German-speaking countries such as Austria and Switzerland. Some families with this surname can be trace back to a particular region, such as Rhineland-Palatinate.
Though less common in other countries, it still pops up from time to time, especially among those who descend from German emigrants. North America is home to a number of people with this surname, as is Australia and New Zealand. In the UK, it is quite rare, with the most common spelling being Bethwer.
Today, Baedeker can still be found in many places in Europe, and in the rest of the world where German immigrants have settled.
Variations of the surname Baedeker
The surname Baedeker has various spellings and variants including, but not limited to: Baedeker, Bedeker, Bedikar, Baedicar, Bahdikar, Bahdeker, Bautz, Paeulicke, Pаulicke, Bedecke, Bādekar, and Bädeker.
The surname Baedeker originates from the Germanic language. It derives from the archaic words baede, meaning "to lead" and kar, meaning "worker". Historically, the surname Baedeker was used to denote someone with the trade or occupation of being a "guide", "leader" or "director".
The surname is believed to have originated in Northern Germany, more specifically in the regions of Lower Saxony, Thuringia, and Hesse, during the 12th century. The variant spelling Bahdikar is commonly found amongst families in the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern region. Similarly, the surname Paeulicke is often seen in families hailing from East Prussia.
The alternative spellings Baedeker and Bahdeker are utilized by many modern-day families of German descent. The variants Baedicar and Bаulicke may also be observed, particularly among individuals residing in the United States. Interestingly, some families originally from Poland opted to change their spelling of the surname from Baedeker to Bautz, when they emigrated to the US.
Due to its popularity and frequent use throughout the centuries, the surname Baedeker continues to exist in many different countries and regions, including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, Denmark, and North America.
Famous people with the name Baedeker
- Karl Baedeker (1801: 1859): Karl, a German printer and publisher of travel handbooks. Through his business, Baedeker became one of the leading names in the travel guide business during the 19th Century.
- Fritz Baedeker (1882: 1960): Fritz was a German art historian and curator. He was the director of the Berlin State Museums during the 1920s, and wrote and published books on the history of art and architecture.
- Charles William Baedeker (1851: 1921): Charles was an American journalist and author who wrote several works on early industrial history.
- Joe Baedeker (1878: 1967): Joe was an American baseball player who played in the National League from 1903 to 1909.
- Lou Baedeker (1908: 1983): Lou was an American baseball player who played in the Negro League from 1926 to 1942.
- M. E. Baedeker (1915: 2002): M. E. was an American historian and genealogist. He was responsible for the compilation of many genealogical tables, as well as books on local histories.
- Paul Baedeker (1917: 2000): Paul was an American physical chemist and professor at the University of Michigan. He was noted for his research into the behavior of both solids and liquids.
- Jürgen Baedeker (1944: present): Jürgen is a German professor at the University of Heidelberg and an expert on regional cultures, identities, and foreign languages. He is the author of several books on regional culture and language.