Surname Besserdich - Meaning and Origin
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Besserdich: What does the surname Besserdich mean?
The last name Besserdich is of German origin and is believed to have derived from the Middle German words “berser” and “dicke”, which can be translated as “pig fatter”. This surname was likely used in the Middle Ages as an occupational name for a seller of pork.
The modern spelling of this name is derived from the Old German terms, hence the reason for the suffix “er” of the name. In more ancient times, the name was often spelt “Berdesdic” or “Bersdiche”. It is thought that the first generations of this surname used the pig trade as an occupation, given its direct reference to the animal.
The name is found throughout the German-speaking countries of the world, primarily in the surrounding region of Hesse, Bavaria, and Saxony. It is thought that many modern individuals who bare this name would have ancestors who arrived in the United States during the 19th century as part of the wave of Germanic immigration to America from Europe. By researching their family tree, it is possible to trace this last name back to its ancestral roots in Germany more than 500 years ago.
Today, those with the Besserdich name have proudly maintained their family’s heritage, which is believed to stem from this symbolic profession. Although the name reportedly serves as a reminder of a trade performed in the past, it still serves as an emblem of Germanic history and culture, which can be embraced and celebrated by current generations.
Order DNA origin analysisBesserdich: Where does the name Besserdich come from?
The last name Besserdich is mainly found today in Germany and the United States. In Germany, Besserdich first appears in Southern Bavaria, near the Austrian border. The town of Esting, located between Schongau and Weilheim, is where the surname first showed up in the 1400s. Other than Bavaria, it can be found in many places in Germany, including Berlin, Hamburg, the Low Countries, and Silesia.
In the United States, the name arrived in the late 1700s with immigrants from Germany. The first recorded Besserdich in the US was Jacob Besserdich, who settled in Iowa in 1863. He was followed by numerous other Besserdichs in Iowa, as well as Minnesota and other Midwest states. There are also records of Besserdich families in Pennsylvania, as well as on the eastern and west coasts.
Today, people with the name Besserdich can be found all over the world. There are Facebook pages dedicated to the name, and websites where genealogists can search for ancient family members. The name itself can be found in records of births, deaths, marriages, and sometimes even migration.
Variations of the surname Besserdich
Besserdich is a German surname of unknown origin, with numerous variants in spelling.
Variants of this surname include Besserdijk, Bêsserdich, Bêsserdijk, Bisserdich, Bisserdijk, Bößerdich, Bößerdick, Bößerdijk, Bößerdich, Böserdtich, Böserdtik, and Bösertik, all of which are pronounced and spelled slightly differently.
There are also many other spellings and surnames of similar origin, such as Besserdirch, Besserdichh, Bessurdich, Bessirdich, Beserdich, Basserdich, Panseerdich, Geeseerdich, Peserdich, Preseerdich, and Prösserdich.
Many of these variants are rarely used today and are probably descended from either the same name or a similar one. Some of them may have originated from a specific region or a particular family.
The original Besserdich family may have come from Austria, Germany, or Switzerland, though this has not been definitively established. Some variations can be found in the Netherlands, but it is difficult to trace their origin.
The Besserdich surname is now found mainly throughout Europe, the United States, Canada, and Australia. It is believed that the original variant is found in Germany, and that all other variations have been derived from it over time.
Famous people with the name Besserdich
- Olaf Besserdich: a German-American actor, known for roles in Son of Saul (2015), The Witch (2015) and Munich (2005).
- Zeus Besserdich: a filmmaker from the Netherlands whose debut feature, Eyes of Sand, was nominated for a Gouden Kalf award.
- Anna Besserdich: a German artist who studied at Royal Academy of Arts, curates exhibitions and teaches workshops.
- Matthias Besserdich: a former footballer who played for Rot-Weiss Oberhausen in the Bundesliga.
- Alexandra Besserdich: an Austrian actress who starred in Vier K (2016), Talk of the Town (2012) and Sacher (2012).
- Robert Besserdich: a movie producer and screenwriter, best known for creating the independent comedy Before the Sun Sets (2010).
- Thomas Besserdich: a German ice hockey player who spent the majority of his career with the Adler Mannheim team.
- Christine Besserdich-Carvalho: a Brazilian contemporary dance pioneer who choreographed and created works for numerous theaters.
- Bernd Besserdich: a former German professional footballer and current coach.
- Clarence Besserdich: an American soldier who was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his service in World War I.