Surname Berlt - Meaning and Origin
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Berlt: What does the surname Berlt mean?
The origins of the last name Berlt are rooted in the German language and are thought to be derived from the Old German surname Bereld, which is composed of the elements berew, meaning “arrow”, and wald, referring to a forest or wood. Interestingly, this combination literal translates to ‘arrow in the forest’ or ‘in the woods’, likely referring to the occupation of a hunter or archer.
The earliest recorded instance of this surname was in 1284, when a man by the name of Ulrich Berl was mentioned in the records of Freiburg im Breisgau, which is now the state of Baden-Wurttemburg in Germany. It’s believed that the majority of the Berlt families originated in the region of Baden-Wurttemburg, where there is still a very active population of Berlts, as well as other variants of the surname like Barlt and Berhlt.
The Berlt surname has since been adopted by various other German-speaking countries, such as Switzerland and Austria, along with other European countries. It has also been anglicized in a number of ways, such as Berl, Beralt, Beral, Barlet, Burl and Burlett.
Throughout the years, the most common spelling of this surname has become Berl, and it has been used by numerous notable individuals, such as Johann Christian Berl, a German historical painter, and Wolfgang Beral, a 19th-century landscape painter.
Order DNA origin analysisBerlt: Where does the name Berlt come from?
The last name Berlt is most common in Germany, particularly in Bavaria and Lower Saxony. It is a relatively rare name, with less than 1,000 people having this surname in Germany as of 2019. It is also found in countries with strong German heritage, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Berlt is believed to be derived from the German word for ‘bright’ or ‘enlightened’, most likely given to people with a bright outlook or who were naturally gifted in terms of intellect or education. It is possible that the Berlt surname originates from the German province of Westphalia.
Today, Berlt is most commonly found in Germany, with a sizable presence in North America and Australia. German-American immigrants who arrived in the United States during the 18th and 19th centuries are likely responsible for most of the Berlt surname in America today. There is also a small but growing presence of Berlt in French-speaking countries such as Canada and France, as well as in the United Kingdom.
The last name Berlt is often seen as a status symbol or a mark of intelligence, which is likely why it is still carried by many people today.
Variations of the surname Berlt
The surname Berlt has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These vary from country to country, and some of these may have multiple spellings, providing an opportunity for further research.
In English, Berlt can take on the forms Bärl, Bärlte, Bärt or Bärlt. In Ireland the surnames Bairlte and Bairlt are slight variations of Berlt. In the USA, Berlt can be found as Bairlt, Berlet, Berlett and Berlte. In Germany, Berlt can be written as Bärlt, Bärl, Bärtle, Bäertl and Bäärl. In the Netherlands, Berlt can also be written as Berlet, Berlt, Bäärlt and Bäärlte. In France, Berlt takes on the form Bärlt, Bärtle and Bäärlte.
In the UK and USA, the surnames Birel and Birelt may also derive from Berlt. The surname Birlte is also a variation found in the US, sometimes used in place of Berlt. In Eastern Europe, the surnames Birls and Birlets can be linked back to Berlt. In Scandinavia, the surnames Berl, Berlte and Berlth are closely related to Berlt.
The spelling of the surname Berlt may have changed over time. It is worth researching different spellings and variations to get a fuller picture of its history, as well as tracing its origins to its country of origin.
Famous people with the name Berlt
- Alexander Berlt: German actor best known for roles in Tatort, Der Bergdoktor, and SOKO Stuttgart.
- Charlotte Berlt: German TV presenter and member of the famous 'Berlt-Sisters.'
- Helena Berlt: German TV presenter and, like her sister Charlotte, a member of the 'Berlt-Sisters.'
- Merle Berlt: German model.
- Philipp Berlt: German footballer who currently plays for Oberliga Südwest club TuS Mechtersheim.
- Tizian von Berlt: German actor best known for roles in films such as Vision: From the Life of Hildegard von Bingen and Zeit der Kannibalen.
- Alina Berlt: German dancer and actress, best known for her performance in The Blacklist.
- Hedda Berlt: German actress and dancer, best known for her role in Der Krampus.
- Kristina Berlt: German fashion designer specializing in swimwear.
- Sophie Berlt: German actress known for her roles in Achtung, Baby and The Bodyguard.