Surname Bilstein - Meaning and Origin
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Bilstein: What does the surname Bilstein mean?
The last name Bilstein originates from Germany and is derived either from a German word or from a similar-sounding place name. Common meanings of the word bilstein include "rock on a mountain" or "rock ridge," although some sources suggest that it may also come from the name of a place such as Bilstein, Bottstein, or Bülste, all of which are locations in Germany.
The name Bilstein is most likely a topographic or habitational name for someone who lived on or near a hill or a rock. It could also indicate a place of origin, as many people used the name of their place of origin as their last name.
In the Middle Ages, the name Bilstein was often spelled variously, including Bülstein, Bilstain, Bilsteyne, Bulsteyve, and Byselsteyne. The most common spelling today is still "Bilstein."
The earliest known reference to this name is found in a letter by Countess Elans De Grave to Lord Peter of Bilstein in 1244. Furthermore, in 1384, a Herman Bilstein is recorded as living in the city of Hamburg. Over time, the name has spread throughout Germany, and is today found in many parts of the world.
Ultimately, the last name Bilstein has various interpretations and can refer to either an origin, a topographic location, or even a profession or character trait. Regardless of its meaning, it is clear that it was and is still an important part of German culture and heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisBilstein: Where does the name Bilstein come from?
The last name Bilstein is most commonly found in Germany. According to the Bershire Encyclopedia of Name Histories, the name was first found in Bavaria and Westphalia and is probably of German origin. It is thought to have originated from a place-name related to limestone.
The name Bilstein is most prevalent today in Germany, but there are also notable amounts of the name in the United States. In the 2010 US census, the surname "Bilstein" was ranked 14,805th among all surnames reported, with a total of 1,652 people reporting it.
In addition to Germany and the US, Bilstein is also found in other countries such as Israel, Canada, and Australia. Israel had 88 people registered under the surname in 2000, while Australia had just over 20 people with the name. All three countries, combined, make up the majority of the 4,710 people with the surname in the world in 2020.
The name Bilstein is also popular in other forms, such as Bilsen, Bilsing, Bilz, and Bilsin. These alternative forms of the name are most commonly found in the US.
The surname Bilstein is common today, especially in Germany and the US. It is also seen in various other countries around the world, with alternative forms of the name being the most popular in the US.
Variations of the surname Bilstein
The surname Bilstein has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Bilstein is a German name and is most common in Germany, Austria, and the United States.
The many variants of Bilstein include Bielstein, Belstein, Pielstein, Belstien, Bilstien, Bilzsteen, Pilzstien, Bilsztajn, Bilzten, Bilsztein, Belztein, Pilsztein, Bilsztejn, Bilsten, Belsten, Pilzenstein, Pilzstein, Bildstein, Bilztaub, Bilsztajn, Belztaub, Bilsztejn, Bilsten, Bilztejn, Belztejn, Pilsztejn, Bilstajn, and Pillstein.
The surname Bilstein can also be found spelled as Belstien, Bilstien, Bilzsteen, Pilzstien, Bilsztajn, Bilzten, Bilsztein, Belztein, Pilsztein, Bilsztejn, Bilztaub, Bilsten, Belsten, Pilzenstein, Pillstein, Bildstein, Bilztaub, Bilsztejn, Belztaub, Bilsten, Bilztejn, Belztejn, and Pilsztejn.
The surnames Pillbitz, Beltz, and Pilz are also of the same origin as Bilstein. The English version of the name is Bean. The name Bean has a slightly different origin in the English language but traces back to the same ancestor found in the Germanic name Bilstein.
In summary, the surname Bilstein has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, including Bielstein, Belstein, Pielstein, Belstien, Bilstien, Bilzsteen, Pilzstien, Bilsztajn, Bilzten, Bilsztein, Belztein, Pilsztein, Bilsztejn, Bilsten, Belsten, Pilzenstein, Pilzstein, Bildstein, Bilztaub, Bilsztajn, Belztaub, Bilsztejn, Bilsten, Bilztejn, Belztejn, Pilsztejn, Bilstajn, Pillstein, Pillbitz, Beltz, Pilz, and Bean.
Famous people with the name Bilstein
- Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim Bilstein (aka Mannerheim), a Swedish nobleman, industrialist and leader of the Civil Guards
- Heinrich Hermann Wilhelm von Bilstein, a Prussian Generalfeldmarschall
- José Bilstein, a Brazilian musician
- Jack Bilstein, an American aerospace engineer
- Alyosha Bilstein, a German film director
- Charles A. Bilstein, an American judge
- Lisa Bilstein, an American comedy writer
- Raimo Ilmari Bilstein, a Finnish philosopher
- Erwin Bilstein, a German neurologist
- Emily Bilstein, a Canadian artist