Surname Barthold - Meaning and Origin
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Barthold: What does the surname Barthold mean?
The last name Barthold is of German origin. It is a combination of two words: "barth" meaning "furrow" and "bold" meaning "rule". Together, the two words create a literal meaning of "furrow ruler" or "lord of the furrows".
Historically, the last name may have been used to refer to a person responsible for supervising or governing the cultivation of crops and fields. This may have included managing field workers, maintaining or planting crops, or overseeing the rotation of crops in order to ensure a regular harvest.
The surname Barthold is quite common in certain parts of Germany. It is especially prevalent in the state of Hesse, where it is estimated to be the 23rd most common surname. Its use is less frequent in other parts of Germany, but there are still pockets of individuals with this name scattered around the country.
Throughout generations, many members of the Barthold family have made their mark on German culture and history. Notable members of the Barthold family include artist Hans Barthold, composer Franz Barthold, and writer Matthias Barthold.
Overall, the last name Barthold has a long and proud history in Germany. It honors the hardworking individuals who once managed the furrows of fields and farms as well as the modern-day descendants who continue to make an impact on German society.
Order DNA origin analysisBarthold: Where does the name Barthold come from?
The last name Barthold is widely scattered throughout the world today. Primarily, Barthold is a German surname and can still be found in German-speaking countries such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It can also be found in other parts of Europe, particularly in Poland, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic.
In the United States, Barthold has long been associated with the Pennsylvania Dutch, and it is still common in Pennsylvania and the Delaware Valley. It is also fairly common in Michigan, Wisconsin, and other Midwestern states, as well as in some parts of the South. Barthold is also prevalent in Canada, especially in the province of Ontario.
Outside of Europe and North America, Barthold can be found in parts of South America, particularly in Venezuela and Brazil. It can also be found in a few parts of Egypt, as well as in some African countries including South Africa.
Today, the last name Barthold is estimated to hold rankings of 'good' to 'moderately common' around the world. It is likely to continue to be a prevalent last name across numerous countries for many years to come.
Variations of the surname Barthold
The surname Barthold is of German and Scandinavian origin, having originated in the southern regions of Germany and in Norway. Variants of this surname include Barthole, Bartholoe, Bartholeme, Bartholm, and Bartel. Spellings of this surname may vary depending on the region, and both single and double consonants may be present. In English, the double-consonant variant is the most common, but the single-consonant is also used frequently.
In Germany, the most frequent surnames derived from this root are Barth, Barthel, Bartels, Bartelme, Barthold, Bartholm, Bartholeme, and Bartole. They can also be found with the added suffixes of "-er" or "-mann" to mark family lines or occupation. Similarly, in Norway, the frequent surnames derived from these roots are Bartel, Barthel, Badel, Badelme, Badelmi, Badelmann, Badelmon, and Badelmos.
In addition, the surname Barthold may also appear in Jewish families as Beartholov or Bartholavitz. In Poland, it is sometimes spelled with an 'e' at the end (Bartheld) or with a 'w' in place of the 'd' (Barthelw).
Overall, there exist numerous variants, spellings, and surnames of different origins for the surname Barthold. They all demonstrate the German and Scandinavian roots of the name, and the various spellings and variations that have arisen due to changes in language and spelling conventions over the years.
Famous people with the name Barthold
- Frederick Augustus II, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg: Frederick Augustus II, also known as Duke Augustus II, was the last Duke of Saxon-Gotha-Altenburg and a member of the House of Wettin. He was born in 1818 and died in 1848.
- Bürgermeister Barthold: Bürgermeister Barthold was a fictional character created by satirist Ludwig Fulda. He appeared in several of his satirical works and is often portrayed as an incompetent and foolish mayor.
- Charles Alfred Barthold: Charles Alfred Barthold was an American lawyer, politician, and judge who served in the Michigan Supreme Court from 1873 to 1876.
- Karl Gottfried Barthold: Karl Gottfried Barthold was a German classical philologist who specialized in ancient Greek literature. He served as the rector of the University of Bonn from 1841-1845 and is remembered for his work on Homeric textual criticism.
- Gisela von Baruth Barthold: Gisela von Baruth Barthold was a German writer and femme fatale of the Weimar Republic. Her first success was a novella that was published in 1927 and her work has been compared to that of Franz Kafka.
- Nico Barthold: Nico Barthold is a Dutch footballer who currently plays as a goalkeeper for NAC Breda in the Eerste Divisie.
- Dirk-Jan Barthold: Dirk-Jan Barthold is a Dutch sprint athlete and Paralympic gold medalist who competed in the 2012 Summer Olympics.
- David Barthold: David Barthold is an American artist, writer, and musician who has exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco and was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2004.