Surname Barthlme - Meaning and Origin

Barthlme: What does the surname Barthlme mean?

The origin and meaning of the last name Barthlme is unclear and likely has multiple origins. It is derived from two elements: “bar” or “barth”, which may mean “bear” or “son of” and “lme” which could refer to either the German word for “elm” or an extinct German word for a place or fortification.

In Germany, the last name Barthlme probably originated in either Bavaria or Austria. Some suggest it is an Austrian variation of the surname Barth, while others believe it is an adapted form of a similar Bavarian surname that sounded like Barhtleme or Bartleme. This name is found primarily in Germany and Austria, although some records show people with the name living in Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic.

The meaning of the surname Barthlme, however, is not definitive. It may come from the German word “bar” or “barth” - meaning bear, or “son of”, combined with “lme” which could be a reference to either the German word for “elm” or an extinct German word for a place or fortification resembling a castle. Alternatively, the name could have been derived from the location where the people living at the time were located.

It’s likely that the original name bearer was of Germanic origin and had some association with bears or a place name that sounded like the German words “bar” or “barth” and “lme”. To this day, the surname Barthlme is still found largely in German-speaking countries, such as Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic.

Barthlme: Where does the name Barthlme come from?

The last name Barthlme is most commonly found today in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and parts of Holland. It is a shared surname among the German-speaking populations of these countries, and is the 4,530th most common surname in Germany.

The Barthlme surname originated as a patronymic name, from the name Bartholomaeus. It is a biblical name, derived from the Hebrew name bar-Tôḵlāmāy, meaning “son of Talmai.” This was the name of an important character in the New Testament, the brother of the Apostle Andrew.

The Barthlme surname is thought to have first existed in the Upper German-speaking states of Bavaria, Baden, and Wuerttemberg. Its early bearers would have had a strong affiliation with the church, and the surname was popularized by Catholic priests.

The surname has remained common over the centuries, with those bearing the name often having roots in the same native region. Over time, Barthlme families have migrated to other parts of Europe or beyond. Today, you’ll find people with the Barthlme last name in the United States, Canada, and other countries around the world.

Variations of the surname Barthlme

The surname Barthlme has many different variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Some of these include:

Barthley, Berthold, Bartholemy, Bertholeme, Bartholme, Bartol, Barthel, Barthoi, Barthelme, Bartholam, Barthlemi, Barthle, Barthelmi, Bartholomi, Bartholf, Bartolommei, Bartolemei, Bertolme, Bartelli, Bartholino, Bartholomaeo, and Bartoldi.

The surname Barthlme stems from the Ancient Greek personal name Bartolomaios, meaning 'son of Talmai'. Derived from the Aramaic form Te’oma and Hebrew form Ta’am, common forms of the personal name are Bartholomew, Bertram, and Bertran. This common personal name was first popularized by Saint Bartholomew, who was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ.

The surname likely first spread to general use through the 50 knights named Bartholomew who accompanied William the Conqueror in his venture to England in 1066, whereupon it became a unique reference to the bearer's great achievement in royal service.

The Bartley spelling likely originates from the English town of Bartley, Hampshire, where the family were recorded in the Doomsday Book of 1086.

Other related surnames might include Bartell, Barthol, Barclay, Bartholdi, Bartling, Bartnick, Bartholet, Barten, Bartlett, and Bartmann.

Famous people with the name Barthlme

• David Barthlme: An award-winning journalist and author, he is a Pulitzer Prize finalist for his work covering Iraq and the Middle East.
• Christian Barthlme: An internationally known sculptor, painter, and photographer, he is known for his abstract experimental art and installations.
• Corinna Barthlme: An opera singer, she has performed in various operas all over Europe and has won numerous awards.
• Jan-Ulrich Barthlme: An Olympic runner, he has represented his country in track and field events and won many gold medals in several world championships.
• Ernesto Barthlme: An acclaimed composer, he has written many classical works and has won the National Anthem Contest in his country three times.
• Jonathan Barthlme: An actor, he has starred in many movies and television shows and is one of the most recognizable names in Hollywood today.
• Dieter Barthlme: A film director, he has directed many internationally acclaimed films and is well known for his commitment to social justice.
• Helmut Barthlme: A former professional football player, he played for top teams in Europe and was a leader of one of the greatest football teams of all time.
• Alexander Barthlme: A professor of philosophy at the University of Freiburg, he is a leading authority on the philosophy of the nineteenth century.
• Paul Barthlme: A celebrated author, he is best known for his works of fiction which explore the human condition.

Other surnames

BarthlBarthleBärthlein