Surname Berdelsmann - Meaning and Origin
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Berdelsmann: What does the surname Berdelsmann mean?
The last name Berdelsmann is a German surname derived from the words "berg", meaning mountain or hill, and "delsmann", a topographical term indicating a person from an area near an embankment or hill, or a person who lived in a valley.
The Berdelsmann family first settled in what is now southern Germany during the Middle Ages. Over time, the family branched out and became established in other parts of Germany and Europe. These branches of the family can be traced to various locales in Europe today.
The Berdelsmann surname is associated with a number of prominent historical figures. In the 1600s, the Berdelsmann family was among the first to join the Protestant Reformation in Germany. During the 19th century, prominent members of the family included theologian Johann Jost Berdelsmann, physicist and academic Johann Herman Berdelsmann and mathematician and geographer Hermann Berdelsmann.
Today the Berdelsmann surname continues to be used in Germany and Europe. It has also been adopted in other parts of the world, including the United States, as an expression of heritage or to honor an ancestor who bore the Berdelsmann name.
Order DNA origin analysisBerdelsmann: Where does the name Berdelsmann come from?
The last name Berdelsmann is most commonly found in Germany. According to ancestry.com, there are over 15,000 people with the surname Berdelsmann in Germany today. The surname is unclear in origin although some theorise it could have come from the town of Berdelsheim, found in Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany; mainly being concentrated there.
Berdelsmann is primarily found in the German states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bavaria, Lower Saxony, and Hesse, particularly in the cities of Dinslaken, Hafen, Essen, Oberhausen, and Berlin, making up 8% of the population of these cities combined. The surname Berdelsmann also has some presence in Austria, although it is much less common there than in Germany. The last name is also scattered throughout the USA, South America, and other parts of Europe.
The Berdelsmann family is most likely of German, northern European, and/or Swiss origin. The Brandenburg region, where many German princes came from, is thought to be the birthplace of the Berdelsmann family. It is likely that the spelling of the name evolved over time, with records of the surname found in historical documents ranging from Berdelsman, Berdelsmanne, and Berdelsmanner.
Today, the Berdelsmann family is well established in Germany. The Berdelsmann name is often associated with success, most notably through the multinational media conglomerate Bertelsmann. Founded in 1835, the company has grown to be one of the largest media companies in the world, and it takes its name from the family. The family has also been noted for its philanthropy, donating millions of euros to charities and organisations over the years.
Variations of the surname Berdelsmann
The surname Berdelsmann is a German surname derived from the personal name "Berthold". The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin resulting from the name Berdelsmann include Bertholt, Berholz, Berdal, Berdtsmann, Berdell, Burdelsmann, Berdell, Burdell, Bergelmann, and Birtelsmann.
The presence of the surname throughout Europe has resulted in numerous spelling variations. For example, in the Netherlands and some parts of Germany, the spelling is "Bertholt". In other countries, such as France and Russia, the spelling is "Beraltz". In England and Wales, the name is typically spelled "Berdell", and in Scotland, the spelling is "Burdell". The spelling of the name can also vary depending on the regional dialect.
The Berdelsmann surname can also be found in a variety of different spelling combinations. In Prussia, the spelling was "Berholz", while in Austria/Bohemia, the spelling was "Berdtsmann". In some areas of Poland, the name was recorded as "Berdal". In Switzerland, the surname was recorded as "Bergelmann". Lastly, in the old Polish record, the spelling was "Birtelsmann".
Although the surname Berdelsmann has undergone numerous spelling variations throughout its history, the original root of the name is the personal name ‘Berthold’ which of German origin. Today, the surname is found in many countries still bears its original spelling and variants.
Famous people with the name Berdelsmann
- Reinhard Mohn: Reinhard Mohn was a German entrepreneur, author, and philanthropist. He was the majority owner and chairman of the Bertelsmann media corporation, which he joined in 1947 before eventually succeeding his father in 1951.
- Liz Mohn: Liz Mohn is a German businesswoman and philanthropist. She is the Vice Chairwoman and family member of the Bertelsmann media empire. She is also a member of the Bertelsmann Foundation’s board of trustees.
- Thomas Rabe: Thomas Rabe is a German lawyer and businessman. He is the chairman and CEO of Bertelsmann, the owner of the world’s largest and most successful media companies.
- Liz Greenwood: Liz Greenwood is a British businesswoman and executive. She is currently the Chief Financial Officer of Bertelsmann, having previously worked in the company’s German divisions.
- Dieter Mohn: Dieter Mohn is a German entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is the former chairman and chief executive of Bertelsmann.