Surname Bartholmay - Meaning and Origin
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Bartholmay: What does the surname Bartholmay mean?
The last name Bartholmay is a patronymic surname derived from the medieval personal name 'Bertram'. It is of German origin and is believed to have originated from the pre 7th century Old German language, being made up of the elements 'beraht', meaning 'bright' or 'famous', and 'ram' meaning 'raven'.
This Germanic surname was introduced into England in the mid 12th century. By the 15th century, the name had a wide enough spread across the south of England that it was listed in the 'Early Records of Suffolk.'
Bartholmay is thought to have primarily been an occupational name, deriving from being a barber or a barbered merchant or soldier; someone whose physical appearance was relatively immaculate. As professional barbers were highly sought after during this period, people were likely to take the occupation's name as their own. This was likely one of the earliest occupational surnames, being adopted as early as the 14th century in some areas.
Today, Bartholmay remains a relatively common surname; currently there are an estimated 1,386 people who claim to have this name in the United States.
Order DNA origin analysisBartholmay: Where does the name Bartholmay come from?
The last name Bartholmay is a rare surname in many countries today. It is mostly found in Germany and other German-speaking countries, such as Austria and Switzerland. According to World Names Profiler, the surname Bartholmay is most prevalent in Germany, with an estimated population of about 8,400 individuals. It is a quite uncommon name in other countries, with few records from the United States and Canada.
The origin of the name Bartholmay is derived from the common German name Bertolt or Barthel. It's believed to have been created by adding the suffix -may to Bertolt or Barthel, meaning "son of". The records of Bartholmay name in Germany date back to 1637, and it is believed to have been localized to the regions of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg.
Today, the name can still be found in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. There are also many families still bearing the Bartholmay name, especially in the southern regions of Germany. Many have branched off and traveled to other countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, with some record of Bartholmay name across Europe, primarily in eastern and central countries.
Variations of the surname Bartholmay
The surname Bartholmay is an uncommon name, which originated in German-speaking countries. There are a few variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
Variants include Bartholmey, Bartholmai, and Bartholy. The spelling will vary depending on the dialect or language used, such as ‘h’ or ‘y’, or ‘m’ or ‘ai’.
Surnames of the same origin are Batholme, Barthome, Bathomee, Berthommier, Barthelmey, Bartholmary, Bartelmay, and Bartlmey.
The meaning of Bartholmay is not known for sure, but it likely came from a combination of the German words “bart” meaning beard, and “helm” meaning helmet. This could have led to a name used to refer to those who had an unfashionable but nevertheless distinguished facial appearance.
The Bartholmay surname is not particularly popular today, and those that still use it are likely to be found largely around the Rhineland area of Germany, as well as in Belgium, France, and Switzerland.
Bartholmay is an unusual name because it is an amalgamation of two separate names, and it is recorded in very few places. This makes it difficult to trace, but if you do have this surname, you will join a special club of people with a unique identity.
Famous people with the name Bartholmay
- Simon Bartholmay: Simon Bartholmay is an American record producer, engineer, and mixer, best known for his work in hard rock, metal, punk, and alternative genres. He is the current Principal at a recording studio in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
- Dave Bartholmay: Dave Bartholmay is a professional tennis player from Australia. He has represented his country in the Davis Cup and has been ranked as high as the world number 89 in singles and world number 28 in doubles.
- Gavin Bartholmay: Gavin Bartholmay is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the Fremantle Football Club and West Coast Eagles. He won the 1999 AFL Rising Star Award and was a member of the West Coast Eagles 2006 premiership team.
- Pete Bartholmay: Pete Bartholmay is an American actor, comedian, writer, and producer, best known for starring in the television series Babylon 5 and Futurama.
- Barbara Danielle Bartholmay: Barbara Danielle Bartholmay is a British fashion designer. She is best known for her contemporary womenswear collections which often feature her signature bold prints.
- Justin Bartholmay: Justin Bartholmay is an American professional basketball player who currently plays in the NBA for the Brooklyn Nets.
- Felix Bartholmay: Felix Bartholmay is a German footballer who currently plays for FC Augsburg in the Bundesliga.
- Robert Bartholmay: Robert Bartholmay is a former English rugby union player. He played for the Wasps and Gloucester Rugby Club as well as for the United States national team.
- Matthew Bartholmay: Matthew Bartholmay is an American singer-songwriter, best known for hit songs "The Best of Me" and "Powerful Love".
- Margot Bartholmay: Margot Bartholmay is a French actress, best known for her leading role in the 2018 French dramedy Your Last Chance.