Surname Borstel - Meaning and Origin

Borstel: What does the surname Borstel mean?

The last name Borstel is of German origin and is derived from the words 'Borste' and 'La', which mean 'Dense' and 'Scrub' respectively. The term likely referred to areas of dense scrub or moorland throughout the Middle Ages, when most people took their surnames from the places they lived or worked. In Germany, the Borstel/Borste family is one of the oldest recorded, and likely originated in northern Germany. It’s possible that the family started as farmers, gatherers or hunters in thick, dense terrain where it was difficult to move through.

The surname has evolved over time, and is still fairly common in Northern and Eastern Germany today. It is estimated that there are about 37,000 people with the last name Borstel still living in Germany today, as well as another large number with spellings of the name such as Borstell, Borstele, and Borstlein. Those with the last name or a variation of it could have come to the United States from Germany in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

The Borstel name has a long and varied history, and could have carried a number of associations and connotations over the centuries. Today, those with the last name Borstel are likely to be proud of their heritage and the story that the name tells. With a strong presence in both in Europe and the United States, it's likely that the last name will remain an important part of family history for many years to come.

Borstel: Where does the name Borstel come from?

The last name Borstel is common in much of Northern and Central Europe today. It is particularly common in Germany, though it is also found in Denmark, Holland, Austria, Switzerland, and other nearby countries.

In Germany, Borstel is derived from the Old German word “bor,” which means “lodge” and refers to a type of German farmhouse that was common in the area during the Middle Ages. It is believed that Germans began taking this word as their surname during this period, as a way of distinguishing themselves from other people.

The name is also found in other countries, though with some slight variations in spelling. In Denmark, the name is spelled Borsell, while in Holland, it is written as Borselen. In Austria, the name is most commonly Borstal, while in Switzerland, it is spelled Bürstel.

Today, there are many people with the last name Borstel living throughout Europe. As German immigration to the United States began to take off during the 19th century, many of these individuals also brought the surname to the US. As of the 2010 Census, there were over 5,000 people with the surname Borstel living in the US and its territories.

Variations of the surname Borstel

The surname Borstel is an archaic spelling that exist in a few countries around the world, with variants and spellings that vary from region to region. In Germany, the variants Rehorst or Röhrst are commonly seen. These spellings may also appear in other German-speaking countries such as Austria or Switzerland.

In the Netherlands, the spelling Borstel is seen more commonly, although Rehorst may also appear to a lesser extent. In the Dutch language, the letter 'B' is often used to spell the sound 'V'. The spelling Borstel is also used in other countries like Belgium or Finland, where it is pronounced similarly.

In some parts of the world, variations of the name can also be found, such as the Norse spelling of Børstel, which can be seen in Denmark or Norway. Similarly, Roestel, which is a variant of the Dutch spelling, also appears in some regions.

The surname Borstel is thought to have originated from Germany, and in this part of the world it is thought to be derived from the Germanic word Borst or Borste, which means ‘bush’. This meaning is reflected in other variants such as Roestel, which may also be derived from the Dutch words for thorn bush (ros).

Famous people with the name Borstel

• Matthias Borstel: German footballer and manager.
• Hermann Borstel: German U-boat commander during World War II.
• Olaf Borstel: German triple jumper.
• Till Borstel: German athlete.
• Marlies Borstel: German rower.
• Manfred Borstel: German musician and actor.
• Mario Borstel: German musician.
• Peter Borstel: German retired rower.
• Wolfgang Borstel: German road racing cyclist.
• Walther Borstel: German World War I ace.
• Jens Borstel: German triathlete.
• Anke Borstel: German tennis player.
• Helmut Borstel: German world champion speed skater.
• Harri Borstel: German rower.
• Liesel Borstel: German jurist, lawyer and legal scholar.
• Dieter Borstel: German rower.
• Philipp Borstel: German boxer.
• Jan Borstel: German luger.
• Enna Borstel: German water polo player.
• Wilhelm Borstel: German figure skater.

Other surnames

Borst