Surname Bortenlänger - Meaning and Origin
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Bortenlänger: What does the surname Bortenlänger mean?
The last name Bortenlänger is a German name meaning "axe lengthener". The name has its roots in the profession of a blacksmith or axe maker, and signifies someone who was skilled in both making and lengthening axes. This profession was likely quite rare and seen as a sign of considerable skill and craftsmanship.
In the Middle Ages, a blacksmith was necessary for every German town and village, as metalworking and forging tools was an integral part of daily life and required in many trades. These blacksmiths typically earned enough money from repairs and sharpening to stay in business and even thrive. It is likely that the Bortenlänger family was part of this tradition and specialized in the extension and repair of axes.
The Bortenlänger family may have originated in south-central Germany and been part of a guild of axe makers, traded their expertise and tools with those of similar backgrounds, and moved across regions as demand for their services arose. While the individual skills of the family may have changed over time, the proud tradition of axe making and repair has likely remained intact for generations.
Today, the last name of Bortenlänger still serves as a reminder of the specialized profession of a blacksmith and axe maker, as well as the importance of craftsmanship in history. While there are few axe makers left, the skills and pride of this profession live on in the surname.
Order DNA origin analysisBortenlänger: Where does the name Bortenlänger come from?
The last name Bortenlänger is most commonly found in Germany today. Although the spelling of the name can vary, it is generally spelled Bortenlänger in Germany. The Bortenlänger family is believed to have emigrated from Westphalia, a region in northwestern Germany, in the early nineteenth century. The family settled primarily in the northern states of Baden-Wurttemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate, with smaller numbers in the adjacent states of Saarland, Hesse, and Bavaria.
Many of the Bortenlängers in Germany today are descended from a single family. Their common ancestor was Friedrich Wilhelm Bortenlänger, who immigrated to Germany in the early nineteenth century. Friedrich Wilhelm was a lawyer by profession, and he initially settled in the northern German city of Hamburg before moving to the Rhineland-Palatinate. From there, the Bortenlänger family spread across the region, with various branches settling in cities such as Strasburg, Cologne, and Bonn.
Today, Bortenlänger is still a common surname in Germany, although it is much less common than it was in Friedrich Wilhelm's time. According to the German telephone directory, there are currently about 1,500 Bortenlängers living in the country, with the majority of them in the two states mentioned earlier. In addition to that, a few hundred Bortenlängers live in other parts of Germany and in German-speaking countries such as Austria, Switzerland, and Luxembourg.
Variations of the surname Bortenlänger
Bortenlänger is a German surname that has many alternate spellings, variants, and associated surnames related to its origin. Popular variants of the name include Bortenlanger, Bortenlang, Bördenlanger, Baardelanger, Bördenlaenger, Bördenlänger, Bördenlang, Bördenlanger, Bortenlanger, Bortenlaenger, and Bördenlänger.
The variants of Bortenlänger are likely related to its earliest forms. The name is thought to have originated from the German phrase "Borte an Langen," meaning border or edge on a long strip of land. Regional dialects evolved this phrase into the recognizable surname Bortenlänger. This name likely started out as a topographic surname referring to an individual who lived near a border or edge on a long strip of land.
The associated surnames, or surnames related to the origin of Bortenlänger, include Bördelangen, Bördelänger, Bördelänger-Langen, Bördelanger, Bördenlaner, Bördenlangen, Bardenlaner, Bardenlangen, Bortenlaner, Bortenlangen, and Bortenlanger.
The most popular variations of Bortenlänger are found in Germany, followed by Austria and Bohemia (Czech Republic). Some of these forms have spread to other parts of Europe, as well as parts of the United States.
Archival records from the areas around Bortenlänger's origin provide glimpses of its early usage. Such records include baptisms, obituaries, marriage documents, and ship manifests. Some of the oldest written records featuring this name include the 1638 baptism of Cornelius Bördenlanger in Wangenheim, Baden-Württemberg, as well as the 1671 baptism of Magdalena Bördenlänger in Baden-Württemberg.
Famous people with the name Bortenlänger
- Alexander Bertenlänger: Alexander is a German reality TV and radio host, as well as an actor popularly known for his roles in several movies like 'Der Traum deines Lebens' and 'Die Welle'.
- Anna Bortenlänger: Anna is a German professional golfer, currently ranked number one in the Women’s German Golf Association.
- Jens Bortenlänger: Jens is a German freestyle skier who has competed in the Winter Olympics three times from 1994-2006, winning two gold medals in the aerials event.
- Malte Bortenlänger: Malte is a German professional basketball player for the s.Oliver Würzburg club.
- Paul Bortenlänger: Paul is a German sprinter specialized in the 100 and 200 meters distances, having won gold at the junior European Championship in 2007.
- Niklas Bortenlänger: Niklas is a German professional volleyball player, having competed in the 2013 European Championship.
- Tobias Bortenlänger: Tobias is a German professional footballer, currently playing midfield for the FC Erzgebirge Aue club.