Surname Bertus - Meaning and Origin

Bertus: What does the surname Bertus mean?

The last name Bertus is of Dutch origin and stems from the Middle Ages. The surname is derived from "bert," which is an old Dutch word meaning 'bright' or 'illustrious.' As such, it could also be interpreted as a sign of respect or even as a symbol for someone's accomplishments. In the Middle Ages, it was used to honour people who had achieved great things.

The surname Bertus is most commonly found in the Netherlands and the Dutch-speaking countries of Belgium and Luxembourg. It is also found in France, as well as other European countries where Dutch is spoken, such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In the United States, the surname is most prevalent in the state of Michigan.

The surname Bertus is also used as a given name in some cases. It has been known to refer to someone's physical appearance, though this usage has become less common in recent years. Additionally, the last name is used as a middle name for some families.

Overall, the last name Bertus is associated with strength, courage, and determination. It offers a testament to the history of the Dutch people and embodies the qualities of those who came before us. This is why the last name Bertus will likely remain a part of Dutch culture for generations to come.

Bertus: Where does the name Bertus come from?

The last name Bertus is most commonly found in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and France. It is one of the oldest surnames in those regions and has a long history in all four countries.

The earliest known bearer of the name was Willem Bertus, who was called to the Guild of Leonaert in 1273 in the city of Leiden in the Netherlands. Since then, the name has been passed down through the generations within the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and France.

Today, the last name Bertus is found mostly in Flanders in Belgium and the provinces of Limburg and North Brabant in the Netherlands. It is also occasionally found in Luxembourg and France.

Bertus is also a common first name among Dutch-speaking and Flemish-speaking people, such as author and broadcaster Bertus Bender and professional cyclist Bram Bertus.

In the United States, the last name Bertus is seen, but not as frequently as in Europe. According to the 2020 US Census, the number of people with the last name Bertus is estimated to be around 4,100. It is most commonly found in California, Washington, and Oregon.

Variations of the surname Bertus

The surname Bertus is rooted in the Germanic Burkhard, a pre-medieval personal name composed of two elements: burk (“protect”) and hard (“brave” or “hardy”). The various spellings and surnames are shown below.

Variants

The surname Bertus has several variant spellings, reflecting local dialects and languages that have shaped its evolution throughout history. These include Bertuzzi, Bertuzzo, Bertusi, Bertussi, Bertuci, Bertucci, Burtus, Burts, Berteus, and Bartus.

Spellings

In different countries and regions, the surname Bertus has taken several alternative spellings. Common variants include Burtus, Berteus, Berthuzzi, Burthuzzo, Bertussi, Burts, Bartus, Burtsch, Berthuccio, and Bertuzzi.

Surnames

There are several surnames derived from the personal name Bertus. These include Burtus, Burts, Bartus, Burtsch, Burthe, Bertuzzo, Burgh, and Bertuzzi.

The Bertus surname is a common name in Europe, with records of it appearing in German, Italian, and Dutch genealogies. In the 21st century, variants of the Bertus surname are still found in Germany, Italy, the United States, Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.

Famous people with the name Bertus

• Bertus Aafjes: Dutch poet, Joshte ber-Ghes and Aafjes was one of the most popular poets among the mid-20th century Dutch public.
• Marnix Bertus: A Belgian scientist known for his work on enzymes, chirality and their applications.
• Bob Bertus: A former All-American basketball player at Bradley University and the first director of the National Basketball Players Association.
• Gerke Bertus: A Dutch World War II resistance fighter and member of the Dutch Resistance Group "Protection of the Country".
• Judith Bertus: A Dutch sculptor who often creates exaggeratedly large-scale works with a concept of commonality.
• Raymond Bertus: A Dutch magician who is famous for his illusions and large-scale events.
• Jan Bertus: A Dutch chess Grandmaster and FIDE trainer.
• Anke Bertus: A Dutch Olympic skater.
• Pieter Bertus: A Dutch theologian and scholar on the Reformation.
• Stien Bertus: A Belgian field hockey player and Olympian.

Other surnames

BertuBertuch