Surname Barthelmay - Meaning and Origin
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Barthelmay: What does the surname Barthelmay mean?
The surname Barthelmay is of German origin and is derived from the given name Bertold, an Old High German personal name which was composed of the elements berht, meaning "bright" or "famous," and wald, meaning "rule," thus meaning roughly "bright-rule”. The surname may have been used to refer to someone who was a ruler or had authority of some kind. It may also have been used to refer to someone with a very bright personality.
Over time, the surname has extended across much of Europe. Today, individuals bearing the surname Barthelmay can be found in parts of Belgium, France, and Germany. They also have a presence in the United States, where it is a relatively uncommon surname.
Various spellings of the surname have also developed over time, with similar sounding variations such as Barthelme, Barthel, Barthelmei, Barthelmae, and Barthold found in various countries. These variations are usually simply the result of changes in pronunciation and spelling over time.
This surname was likely to have had a long and proud history with its earliest bearers known to have used it in Germany during the Middle Ages. Since then it has spread far and wide, and is now known in many different countries. As such, it is likely that those who come from the surname will feel pride in its long history and the varied locations in which it has been used.
Order DNA origin analysisBarthelmay: Where does the name Barthelmay come from?
The last name Barthelmay is most commonly found in the United States, particularly in the Midwestern states like Michigan, Ohio, Illinois and Indiana. Interestingly, in 2000, Michigan was home to the most Barthelmays in the nation. In 2020, the surname had become more widespread but is still remembered most in the Great Lakes region.
The Barthelmay family is of Prussian origin and can be traced back to Germany before the 1800s. As people moved to the Midwest for various reasons like seeking work and starting new lives, the name moved with them. Over the years, they have spread out to other parts of the US and Canada.
Though the numbers have gone up since 2000, the descendants of those original settlers still make up the majority of the population bearing the last name Barthelmay. Even if people with the name are no longer exclusively concentrated around the Great Lakes, the region still represents their roots. It may be that those living in the Great Lakes region are more aware of their Barthelmay ancestry and therefore more likely to pass on the name.
Variations of the surname Barthelmay
The surname Barthelmay is an uncommon name that has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Though it is not known where this name originated from, it is likely of German origin. The variants and spellings of the name are Bartholmae, Bartholme, Bartholmai, Bartholomay, Barthomay, and Bartolmey. The surnames of the same origin are Barthelmess, Barthelmy, Bartlamay, Bartlemay, Bartley, and Bartlmy.
The variants that are seemingly English and German influenced, such as Bartholome and Barthomay, likely derive from the Latin Bartholomaeus which means ‘son of Talmai’; Talmai is a Hebrew given name from the time of Jesus. Bartlmy is a variation of Bartholmai, which is derived from the Middle High German elements bero, meaning ‘bright’ or ‘famous’, and helm, meaning ‘helmet’, ‘protection’. Meanwhile, the surname Barthelmy is a combination of the name Bartholomaeus and -my, a suffix used in German and Dutch surnames.
Ultimately, these surnames indicate that the many variants, spellings, and surnames of Barthelmay are all linked to a common origin that has traces of both German and Latin influences. These variants serve as evidence of how surnames can evolve and become connected in ways that are sometimes unexpected.
Famous people with the name Barthelmay
- Omer Barthelmy: He is a French actor, director, and screenwriter known for his roles in films such as “Les Fils de Marie” (1985) and “Vampire” (1987).
- Marie-Laure Barthelmy: She is a French journalist and author who won the 2001 Prix Femina for her book “Les Sept Vies d'Esprance” (Seven Lives of Hope).
- Mary Cecelia Barthelmy: A prominent Canadian lawyer who served as the first president of the Canadian Bar Association from 1890-1895.
- Pierre Barthelmy: He is a French aquatic athlete who competed at the 2000, 2004 and 2008 Summer Olympics in the 200m backstroke. He also received an award from the French aquatic federation.
- Jason Barthelmay: He is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Atlanta Hawks in 2019.
- Pierre Berthy Barthelmay: A French sculptor and stained glass artist who is best known for his works at the Church of St. Séverin in Paris.
- Marielle Barthelmy: She is a French alpine skier who competed at the 2006 and 2010 Winter Olympics.
- Paul Barthelmy: An American legal scholar who served as a professor of law at the University of California, Berkeley in the mid-20th century.
- Andre Barthelmy: A French novelist and writer who is best known for his prize-winning novel “Les Yeux d'Angèle” (The Eyes of Angèle).
- Yvonne Barthelmay: A French stage and screen actress who is most known for her roles in the films “La Prisonnière” (1966) and “L'homme qui tue les femmes” (1980).