Surname Batram - Meaning and Origin
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Batram: What does the surname Batram mean?
The last name Batram is of German origin and is said to have been derived from the given name Bartholomaeus, a German form of the name Bartholomew. It is thought that Batram originated as a patronymic surname, which means it was derived from the given name of a person's father. The name Bartholomaeus is a combination of two Aramaic words, bar, which means “son”, and talmai, which means “twin”. In turn, this combination of words is thought to have been used to refer to the biblical figure, St. Bartholomew.
Patronymic surnames were very common during the Middle Ages in Germany, and other European countries, and were mainly used as a means of distinguishing between different families and individuals. A patronymic surname generally passed from father to son, so a popular Batram may have been the son of Bartholomaeus. Some variant spellings of the surname Batram include Bahtra, Bahtram, Batra, and Bator.
The surname Batram is still found in areas of Germany today, often in the form of local variations. It is also now found in several countries around the world, often with variant spellings, as the descendants of German immigrants who carried the name with them to their new homes.
Order DNA origin analysisBatram: Where does the name Batram come from?
The last name Batram is most commonly found in Germany today. It is a German patronymic last name derived from the given name Bartram, meaning ‘great raven’. The name is believed to have first appeared in the 13th century and is still popular in many parts of Germany today.
In the 1930 United States Census, the total population of people with the surname Batram was estimated at around 3,315 individuals. There is also a sizeable population of people with the last name in countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.
In modern Germany, people with the last name Batram are mainly concentrated in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony. In North Rhine-Westphalia, the last name is most prevalent in the cities of Essen and Köln (Cologne).
Batram is also a popular last name in the United States, with the highest concentrations found in the states of Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey. A recent study of surnames in the USA ranked Batram as the 3,047th most common surname in the country.
The Batram surname is not only found in Germany and North America, however. It can also be found in countries such as the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, and Sweden. In some cases, people with the last name may have moved to these countries from Germany in order to find work or to escape religious persecution.
Variations of the surname Batram
The surname Batram can have many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These variants and similar spellings include Pochetarn, Batchrich, Bachtren, Baktrene, Bacutirn, Bachtirn, Bettam, Bathen, Battrum, Bachtren, Baktraun, Bachten, Bachterne, Batren, Bakterne, Bachtrenne, Batrane, Bachtirne, Bachtorn, Bachtirne, Batchtern, Bachtrein, Bachtrenne, Bachtreinne, Bachtrin, Bachtrian, Batrenne, Batriene, Battirn, Bachtrianne, Bachtrom, Bachtfurm, Bachterann, Bachtrine, Bachtrie, Batranee, Batchtrim, Batarne, Batartin, Bitern, Baldtarne, Batchirn, Batrant, Batrante, Batranes, Bachtari, and Badtreon.
Batram is derived from an Old German word “batranc” which means “a roller or digger”. It is likely an occupational surname for a digger or roller, or a nickname for someone with similar characteristics. In some cases, it could have even been a baptismal name derived from "Balthasar", a Greek form of the Hebrew name “Belshazzar” meaning “master of a treasury” in Babylonian literature in the Old Testament.
Today, the surname Batram can be found in parts of Germany, England, Netherlands, France, and Switzerland, but is not as common as some other more commonly used surnames.
Famous people with the name Batram
- Peter Batram: Actor, best known for his regular role as Phil Mercier in TV series Grange Hill.
- John Batram: British linguist and pioneering writer in the field of English language teaching.
- Robert Batram: Writer and entrepreneur known for his expertise in business and entrepreneurship in the early 20th century.
- Edward Batram: Silver Medalist at the 1948 Olympics for rowing in the Men's Eight.
- Frank Batram: Winner of the "Zonta International Amelia Earhart Fellowship" for aerospace related research in 1985.
- Chris Batram: Professional soccer player who has played for clubs such as Blackpool, Chester City, and York City.
- Bruce Batram: Development director of the Wildlife and Wetland Trust, known for his conservation efforts worldwide.
- James Batram: English tenor and coronet player based in London, performed in productions of musicals such as West Side Story and Annie.
- Henry Batram: Founding member of the theater company Southern Rep and was recognized with a lifetime achievement award from the New Orleans theater association.
- Stacey Batram: Professional boxer who won the Commonwealth Cruiserweight title in 2005 and held the British Championship in 2006.