Surname Barthelme - Meaning and Origin
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Barthelme: What does the surname Barthelme mean?
The last name Barthelme is derived from the German word "bartholomäus" which means "son of Talmai". The Talmai in question is the biblical figure from the New Testament, also known as Bartholomew. This surname is widely found in German-speaking areas and can take the form of Barthelme, Bartolomaeus, or Bartholmäus.
The people bearing the surname Barthelme are believed to be the descendants of the Talmai family tree. Historically, the Talmai family was known as influential figures in the monetary realm and held such positions as patricians, court magistrates, and patrons of arts and culture. Likewise, the members of the Barthelme family are known to have held esteemed titles such as count, baron, and mayor.
Throughout the generations, Barthelme has evolved from a familial surname to become associated with individuals from all corners of Europe. It has become a mark of distinction and the bearer of this name has come to embody the qualities associated with the Talmai originator. Modern-day descendants typically possess leadership traits such as courage, confidence, and decisiveness. Those who carry the Barthelme name (directly or indirectly) are proud to uphold the values of their Germanic heritage and cherish the integrity associated with it.
Order DNA origin analysisBarthelme: Where does the name Barthelme come from?
The last name Barthelme is primarily found in the United States today. According to the Social Security Administration, there were 281 people in the United States whose first or last name was Barthelme as of 2019. That same year, most of them (264) lived in Texas, with Texas' population being around 28.7 million at the time. The remaining members of the Barthelme family were spread out across the rest of the United States: 7 people in Georgia, 5 people in Washington, 2 people in North Dakota and 1 people each in Idaho and Florida.
Most people with the Barthelme last name are likely related to Donald Barthelme, a celebrated American writer and professor at the University of Houston from 1962 to 1989. Donald's grandfather, Herman Barthelme, emigrated to the US from Germany in 1883, and the family eventually settled in Houston. Through Donald and his siblings Frederick, Steven, and Jean, the Barthelme family has been firmly established in Houston ever since.
The Barthelme family has also left its mark in the world of literature. Donald's siblings each had successful careers as writers and teachers, and Donald was a celebrated writer of short fiction and novels. His work was featured in The New Yorker, Harper's, Playboy, and other major American publications. In 1976, Donald won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction for his novel Snow White, in which he introduced a new style of writing based on creative quotation.
Such was the impact of the Barthelmes on American culture that a Houston-based museum, The Don and Carmen Barthelme Gallery, was opened in 2013 to honor the family’s legacy. As of 2021, members of the Barthelme family are still living in Houston and the surrounding area.
Variations of the surname Barthelme
The Barthelme surname has a number of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Bartholme, Bartholomy, Bartholmei, Bartolom, Bartolome, Bartolomy, Bartholin, Barthelemy, Bartlemy, Bathon, and Barthome.
The spelling of the Barthelme surname is believed to have evolved from its original Germanic form of Berthold to Barthold, Bartold, Barthol, and ultimately, Barthelme. The change is largely attributed to the common linguistic shifts that took place during different phases of migration.
The Barthelme surname is believed to have originated from the Old German word “berht,” meaning “bright” or “shining.” It is a common Middle Ages nickname or name derived from a person's qualities or characteristics, such as appearance and personality traits. As a result, it is likely that Barthelme was initially a nickname given to someone who was thought to have a bright, shining personality.
The modern versions of the name, as well as their surnames of origin, are scattered across multiple countries. It is found in Germany, France, England, the Netherlands, Scotland, and Ireland. One common Barthelme surname variant is Barthell, which is most frequently found in England, Ireland, and Scotland.
Despite the common origin, Barthelme can refer to multiple unrelated families and individuals. However, records indicate a close-knit community centred around the gift-giving religious celebrations of Bartholomäusnacht (Barthelme Night) which are still celebrated by many communities across Germany.
Famous people with the name Barthelme
- Donald Barthelme: a Pulitzer Prize-winning American avant-garde author and professor of literature at the University of Houston.
- Frederick Barthelme: an American novelist, author of several books including Forty Stories, Moon Deluxe and Third and Indiana.
- Steven Barthelme: an American professor of Literary Studies at the University of New Orleans.
- Donald-Antoine Scherer Barthelme: a French composer.
- Bernd Barthelme: a German author, editor, and journalist.
- Dirk Barthelme: a German journalist and novelist.
- Tom Barthelme: an American composer of contemporary classical music.
- Robert Barthelme: an American painter and sculptor.
- Kevin Barthelme: an American contemporary classical music composer.
- Gretchen Barthelme: an American contemporary classical music composer.
- Charles Barthelme: an American music producer, sound engineer, and classical composer.
- Sebastian Barthelme: an American sculptor and performance artist.