Surname Bartmann - Meaning and Origin

Decoding Lineage and History: A Deep Dive into the Surname Bartmann Through the iGENEA DNA Test

Taking the iGENEA DNA test to trace the history of my surname Bartmann unveiled fascinating revelations. From confirming central European roots to unravelling an ancient link with bear trainers of the Middle Ages, the journey was as enlightening as it was exciting. Moreover, the possibility of discovering distant relatives simply added to the value provided by this unique adventure into my family's past.

Z. Bartmann

Bartmann: What does the surname Bartmann mean?

The last name Bartmann is German in origin and is derived from the Middle High German term ‘bartmann’ meaning ‘beardman’. It is also used as a surname by some French and Dutch families.

This surname likely had two different origins depending on geographic location; one comes from the Middle High German ‘bartmann’ and the other comes from the Middle Low German term ‘bardeman’ which means ‘barrelman’. The term ‘bartmann’ was likely used to identify someone with a very distinctive beard, while the ‘bardeman’ likely referred to someone who was involved in making or selling barrels.

The presence of the ‘Bartmann’ surname is most strongly associated with Germany, particularly the countries of Bavaria and Saxony; however, it can also be found in France and the Netherlands. The frequency of its usage in these other countries is less than it was in its German homeland and is typically associated with families who emigrated at some point in their history.

The ‘Bartmann’ surname is an example of the many occupational surnames which were used to differentiate individuals with similar first names. This tradition has continued to the modern day, with many families opting to keep surnames from their distant ancestors as a way to connect with their past and emphasize the relation of the members of the family.

Bartmann: Where does the name Bartmann come from?

The last name Bartmann is most common in Germany, especially in the western parts such as North Rhine-Westphalia, Schleswig-Holstein, Saarland, and Bavaria. In fact, Bartmann is the 112th most common last name in Germany. It is also found in countries that formerly belonged to the German Empire such as Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. The surname has also spread to other parts of Europe, including Belgium and the Netherlands, as well as to parts of North America, including the United States.

The origin of the Bartmann surname is likely either Germanic or Jewish. The oldest records of the name are found in the 13th century in the town of Oppenheim, Germany, where a family of wealthy merchants with the surname Bartmann were prominent. It is also known that the surname was adopted by some Jewish families who had escaped persecution in other parts of Europe.

Today, the surname Bartmann is most strongly associated with Germany. It is also found in various other countries, including the US, although it is not especially common in the US compared to Germany. There are various organizations and clubs associated with the surname in various countries, such as the organization Freundefamilien Bartmann, which unites descendant families of the Bartmann family in Germany and other countries.

Variations of the surname Bartmann

Bartmann is a patronymic surname derived from the Germanic given name Bart, usually derived from Bartholomäus, the Latinized form of the Hebrew name ‘Bar Talmay’, which means ‘son of Talmay’. The earliest known instances of the Bartmann surname dates back to the 16th century, where it is recorded in various regions of Germany.

Variations of the Bartmann surname include Bartman, Bartsch, Bartschneider, Bartz, Bertsmann, and Partmann. German scholars have identified the Bartmann surname as derived from the ‘Partmann’ (‘son of the part’ or ‘son of the portion), as well as the ‘Pertman’ (‘son of Pert’). The Bartmann spelling is also known to have undergone phonetic variations as the surname was adopted by settlers across different countries and languages, such as Bartman, Barta, and Bartmanns.

In modern times, the surname is usually found as Bartman, Bartmann, Bartz, Bartels, and Bertelli. Other variants of the surname such as Berteld, Berteldt, and Bartelsdorf may also emerge due to regional influences.

In some cases, the surname Bartmann may even be Anglicized to sound like Bartman, Barton, or Bartlett. It is also important to note that the surname may evolve depending on the language and dialect adopted by the family. For example, the Polish variation could be Bartman, Bartoń, or Bartoš. Similarly, Bartman is the Dutch version of the surname while in Scandinavia, the surname may transform into Bertelli, Bertilsson and Bertnsen.

Famous people with the name Bartmann

• Bob Bartmann: A professional golfer who has won numerous professional golf tournaments from 1968-1981.
• Christian Bartmann: A German footballer who played for the Hertha BSC Berlin of the Bundesliga.
• Tom Bartmann: A strongman competitor and professional showman.
• Eddie Bartmann: An American musician and Grammy-winning studio musician, producer, and sound engineer.
• Tiffany Bartmann: A competitive figure skater and three-time US national champion.
• Jennifer Bartmann: A professional skier and Olympian from Switzerland.
• August E. Bartmann: A German field marshal from World War Two.
• George W. Bartmann: A successful entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist.
• Immo Bartmann: A German actor, director, and theater professor.
• Matthew Bartmann: An American author and entrepreneur.
• Dirk Bartmann: A German composer and musician.
• Steve Bartmann: An American entrepreneur, author, and financial advisor.
• Harry Bartmann: A German philatelist known for collections of the stamps of East German states.
• Gottlieb Bartmann: A German-American brewer and founder of the Gambrel brewery.
• William Bartmann: An American banker and entrepreneur, founder of Commercial Financial Services.

Other surnames

Bartman