Surname Barthels - Meaning and Origin
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Barthels: What does the surname Barthels mean?
The last name Barthels is German in origin. The name is derived from the personal name Barthold, an old Germanic name derived from the elements 'bert', meaning 'bright', and 'wald', meaning 'rule'. Over time, the suffix '-els' was added to the name, likely as a patronymic, often signifying 'son of'.
The name is most common in around the regions of Berlin, Prussia, and Silesia, as well as certain parts of the Netherlands and Luxembourg. People bearing the surname Barthels are believed to have originally been from the north of Germany, and prospered throughout the conversions and persecutions of the 1500s. Several large migrations of Barthels have been recorded throughout Germany, Holland, and the United States since then.
Today people with the surname Barthels are distributed between Germany, the United States, the Netherlands, Canada, and Australia. There are many notable individuals with the surname, such as Hans Barthels, a World War II veteran and German politician; Kristen Barthels, an American video game designer; and Albert Barthels, a Dutch organist, conductor, and composer.
Overall, the surname Barthels is an example of a common German patronymic, and likely denotes a descent from a person named Barthold. The name itself is relatively widespread between Germany, the United States, and other countries, and is held by many notable international figures.
Order DNA origin analysisBarthels: Where does the name Barthels come from?
The last name Barthels is most common today in Germany and parts of Central Europe. It is most prevalent in Germany, with records indicating that it is particularly clustered in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate. Records also indicate that the name can be found with some frequency in Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Luxembourg.
The name Barthels is believed to originate from the name Barthold, which comes from the Germanic personal name Berhtold, derived from the two words for bright and ruler. It is also possible that the name is derived from an Old High German word meaning “noble” or “illustrious”. In Germany during the Middle Ages, Barthelses were a prominent family of noble knights and landed gentry.
The first Barthels in Germany were recorded as early as the 11th century. One of the first references to the Barthels family can be found in the records of the city of Rothenburg in the late twelfth century. During the 15th and 16th centuries, several members of the Barthels family gained wealth and fame as successful merchants and businessmen.
In addition to being present in Germany for centuries, the Barthels family has also made its way to other geographical areas, such as the United States. A number of Barthels immigrated to the United States during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, and the family name can now be found in numerous states across the country.
Variations of the surname Barthels
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Barthels include Bartels, Barhtel, Barthol, Barhtull, Barthell, Bartholle, Bartelme, Bartelsme, Barthelemy, Barthelemi, Barthelmes, Barthalem, Barthelemey, Barthelet, Barthelot, Bartahels, Bartahelmes, Bartahelmy, Barthou, Barthouw, and Barthalot. These surnames are all believed to have derived from a continental Germanic root “bardo” or “bert” which refers to a bright or shining figure. At times, this surname was also associated with the “bastard” meaning, which referred to an illegitimate child.
The Barthels surname has multiple spelling forms originating in different countries including Germany, Switzerland, France, and the Netherlands. Therefore, these variants reflect the various spelling guidelines of the country in which the family first settled. The Barthels surname is also seen as a patronymic surname, meaning that it was in some instances derived from a father’s given name.
Another possible origin of the surname Barthels is from the Hebrew name “Bartholomew”. This name was occasionally used by Jewish individuals who had converted to Christianity and as a result, had their name changed to a biblical name.
Overall, the Barthels surname is deeply rooted in Germanic origins and has a wide variety of spelling variations and origins. The Barthels variant is most commonly seen in Germany, Switzerland, France, and the Netherlands, however, there is the possibility that the surname can also be found in other European countries.
Famous people with the name Barthels
- Thomas Barthels: Professional Youtuber and Traveler
- Quinton Barthels: Professional mixed martial arts athlete
- Miriam Barthels: German professional volleyball player
- Johann Barthels: Former member of the German Bundestag
- Phillip Barthels: German professional basketball player
- Eva Barthels: German computer scientist and professor
- Ulrich Barthels: German psychologist and neuroscientist
- Richard Barthels: Former Deputy Mayor of Cologne
- Peter Barthels: American jazz musician
- Anne Barthels: Mayor of Wittlich, Germany