Surname Bertleff - Meaning and Origin
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Bertleff: What does the surname Bertleff mean?
The last name Bertleff has Germanic origins and is associated with the Dutch province of Flanders. It derives from the Germanic word "bertel" meaning bright and a diminutive "lef" which adds the sense of small size. This together could refer to a person perceived as having "small, bright eyes". Alternately, the name could have evolved from words meaning 'secret knowledge', indicating an intelligent person with a curious and inquisitive nature.
The name Bertleff is rare today, mainly found in Germany, the Netherlands and other German-speaking countries. Families bearing the name go back several centuries and often appear in census records including 17th-century documents.
As a surname, Bertleff could represent those who have a flair for knowledge or any of the fields related to science, art, and literature. It may also suggest the heritage of a person with a keen eye, attentive to even the slightest detail. Those with the last name Bertleff would likely be very creative, patient and values-guided individuals.
Order DNA origin analysisBertleff: Where does the name Bertleff come from?
The last name Bertleff is most commonly found in Germany and various parts of Central Europe. In Germany specifically, the name is seen as most common in the states of Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia. The name is also found in Germany's neighboring countries. For example, in Austria, a few different variations of the surname are seen, such as Bertelef, Berteleff, and Bertleff. In the Netherlands, Bertleff is also seen, spelled as Berteld.
In the United States and the United Kingdom, instances of the name are far more scattered. While the name is not as commonly seen, there is evidence of people with the surname in the United States, most notably in Florida, California, and New York. Research shows that the first person with the surname Bertleff in the United States was a man named Richard Caywood Bertleff, who arrived in New York in 1852.
The surname Bertleff is associated with various countries in Europe, but its presence on the global stage is faint. It does not appear to currently exist much outside of Central Europe, meaning instances of it are few and far between.
Variations of the surname Bertleff
The surname Bertleff is of German origin, believed to come from the same root as Bartholomew (barth + löwe). The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin include Bartloff, Barteloff, Bartoloff, Bartels, Barthels, Bartolf, Bartol, and Bartholomae.
Bartloff is the oldest form of the surname and its variants derived from the Germanic elements "berht" and "löwe," meaning “shining” and “lion”. It is believed to refer to one who has a heroic and courageous spirit. Barteloff is another variant that is derived from the Old German “barth + löwe” and is a form of the surname Bartholomae.
Bartoloff is a variation of the name that is derived directly from the German “barth + löwe”. It is believed to have originated from the Germanic personal name Berhtwulf, which means “bright wolf” or “bright warrior”. Bartels is a variant that is used primarily in the Netherlands and Belgium and is derived from “barth+löwe” to mean “bright lion”. Another variant is Barthels which is used primarily in Germany, which may have also originated from the same root as Bartloff or Bartholomae.
Bartolf is a variant found in Germany and is derived directly from the Germanic “barth + löwe”. Similarly, the surname Bartol is also derived from the same source and is found in Germany, Poland, and other Eastern European countries. The last variant is Bartholomae, which is the German and Dutch spelling of the surname and is derived from the personal name Bartholomaeus.
In conclusion, the surname Bertleff is a Germanic surname believed to have originated from the elements “berht” and “löwe” to mean “shining” and “lion”; its variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin include Bartloff, Barteloff, Bartoloff, Bartels, Barthels, Bartolf, Bartol, and Bartholomae.
Famous people with the name Bertleff
- Christopher Bertleff: American former professional basketball player
- Günther Bertleff: German former professional football player
- Sabine Bertleff: German Olympic athlete and pentathlete
- John Bertleff: American artist and sculptor
- Isobelle Bertleff: British pianist and composer
- David Bertleff: French former professional soccer player
- Paul Bertleff: German chemist and chemist
- Ryan Bertleff: American professional mixed martial artist
- Gustav Bertleff: Germaniewak physician, tobacconist and author
- Wilbert Bertleff: American filmmaker
- Mark Bertleff: British stage and film actor
- Karen Bertleff: Canadian Olympic swimmer
- Peter Bertleff: Austrian composer and conductor