Surname Barthelmess - Meaning and Origin
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Barthelmess: What does the surname Barthelmess mean?
The last name Barthelmess is of German origin. It is a topographic surname derived from the Old German words ‘bart’ meaning ‘beard’, and ‘helm’ meaning ‘helmet’. The surname indicates that its bearer was an individual who carried a chin strap—a beard equivalent of a helmet.
Over the centuries, the nuanced meaning of the surname changed, and it came to signify an individual who was powerful, brave, or resolute. People with this surname were known for their steadfastness and admired for their strength of character.
In modern times, the Barthelmess surname is still common throughout Germany, where it is often spelled 'Barthelmes'. The name is also found around the world, and in countries including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
Today, the Barthelmess name stands for a commitment to excellence and an unwavering sense of loyalty. Its bearers are proud of their heritage and share a common bond that transcends time and place. By reclaiming their ancestor’s legacy, they keep alive the legacy of perseverance and hard work.
Order DNA origin analysisBarthelmess: Where does the name Barthelmess come from?
The last name Barthelmess is most commonly found in Germany, particularly in the regions of Bavaria, Brandenburg, Hesse, and Lower Saxony. In recent years, numerous Barthelmess families have also migrated to other European countries, including Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands, and Sweden. In the United States, Barthelmess is less common but still present in various states, such as California, New York, Florida, and Texas.
The Barthelmess family name is of German origin and is derived from Barthel-Messer, which translates to “axe-cutter” and likely denoted someone in a profession that was related to carpentry or logging. The earliest recorded instance of the name can be found in the fifteenth century, in the town of Bamberg in Bavaria.
Throughout the centuries, many members of the Barthelmess family have distinguished themselves in various fields. For example, several Barthels have made significant contributions in the arts, notably Christoph Barthelmess (1483–1550), who was a renowned painter during the late Gothic period. Other Barthelmess have achieved prominence in music, medicine, business, and even in the field of exploration.
Overall, the Barthelmess family can be considered a small but globally-dispersed clan, with members descended from a long and illustrious lineage. It serves as a reminder of the important role the arts and sciences have played in the development of society over the centuries.
Variations of the surname Barthelmess
The surname Barthelmess is a Germanic name derived from Bartholomew. It is a combination of "Barth" or "Bert" and "Helm" meaning helmet. Variations of this surname include Barthelmes, Bartheles, Bartholmes, Bartellmes, Bartelmes, Bartlemes, Bartalmes, and Bartomes.
In some instances, Barthelmess may have been shortened to one of its constituent parts. For example, the surname Barth could refer to Bert or Bart, while Helm could eventually become Elms, Elm, or Elms. These variations can be seen in the surnames Berth, Elms, Bartels, and Elmes.
Barthelmess is also found as an anglicized form of an earlier German name, Bartholmer. Variants of this include Bartelmyer, Bartlemyer, Bartlemeyer, Bardlemeyer, and Bartholmayer.
Spelling variations of the name Barthelmess over time has included Barter, Barthers, Barthelmess, Barthelmes, Barthelm, Barthelsson, Bartalmes, Bartalmess, and Bartelmes.
In some cases, variants of the Barthelmess surname have been incorrectly shifted to the English phonetic equivalents of their Germanic origins. The result has been Bartels, Bartloff, Bartelmoy, Bartley, Bartelemy, Barttlem, Bartall, Barttee and Bartholemewe.
The Barthelmess surname is also found in many other languages due to immigration from Germany to other European countries. For example, the French Bartelme, the Spanish Bartolme, and the Dutch Bartelmees. Surnames derived from non-English countries often have multiple spellings due to the prevalence of more than one language in the original homeland.
The Barthelmess surname also appears as the surname Bartholmae, which may have originated in the Germanic realm as a combination of the words for “helmet” and “lord.” Alternatively, the surname Bartholmae may be derived from the Old Germanic personal name Bertholmey.
Famous people with the name Barthelmess
- Richard Barthelmess: American actor known for his leading roles in silent films such as The Dawn Patrol (1930).
- Robert Barthelmess: Actor and businessman, grandson of Richard Barthelmess.
- Henry Barthelmess: American astronomer, namesake of lunar crater Barthelmess.
- Richard Page Barthelmess: An influential early American musicologist, professor of music at Harvard University from 1977 until his death in 1994.
- Gretchen Barthelmess: German long-distance runner and winner of the 1955 European Championships in the women's javelin throw event.
- Therese Barthelmess: Member of the German center-right Christian Democratic Union, was elected to the German Bundestag in 2013.
- Georg Barthelmess: German politician and member of the Christian Social Union in Bavaria.
- Ulin Barthelmess: German politician, served as Minister of Justice in 1983.
- Helmut Barthelmess: German biathlete, won a silver medal in the 1992 Winter Olympics.
- Karl Barthelmess: Austrian painter known for his figurative Impressionism paintings.