Surname Breitenau - Meaning and Origin
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Breitenau: What does the surname Breitenau mean?
The last name Breitenau is a German surname of uncertain origin. It is thought to be derived from the German 'breit' meaning 'wide' and 'enau' meaning 'meadow', suggesting that it once referred to somebody who lived near a wide meadow. The name is most commonly found in Germany, particularly in the states of Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia.
The Breitenau surname may also have been derived from a place name. One such place is the town of Breitenau in Bavaria, which was mentioned in documents as early as 1361. In some cases, it may also have been a topographical surname, given to someone who lived in an area known for having a wide meadow.
It is also possible that the surname Breitenau was originally derived from a personal name, such as Berehtwin, which was a popular 11th-century name in Germany. This would mean that the name was an occupational name or nickname for someone who was considered to be 'wide' in some capacity.
Overall, the exact origins of the name Breitenau remain uncertain, but there are several possible theories. Whatever the origin, the name has been used in Germany for centuries and its meaning of 'wide meadow' is likely to have originated in medieval Germany.
Order DNA origin analysisBreitenau: Where does the name Breitenau come from?
The last name Breitenau is most commonly seen in Northern Germany today. Breitenau is a toponymic surname, which means it originates from a place name. This particular place name is most likely derived from the words “breite” (wide) and “Aue” (meadow) and refers to a village in northern Germany of the same name located in the present day district of Herzogtum Lauenburg, Schleswig-Holstein.
The origins of the surname date back to 1569 AD when it was recorded as “von Breiteneua”. From this point, many of the Breitenau's in the area moved to the Cities of Lübeck and Hamburg and from there, began to migrate across all of northern Germany.
Today, the Breitenau surname is still fairly common in northern Germany and is most concentrated in the states of Berlin, Brandenburg, Bavaria, Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg. There is also a strong Breitenau presence in the Netherlands, Denmark, Austria, and the United States of America.
The surname Breitenau is believed to be of Germanic origin and it is suggested to mean “wide meadow” or “vast plain”. It is possible that those with the surname Breitenau originally lived in a large meadow or open plain. It is also possible that it is derived from a word meaning “bright” or “prominent”. Over the centuries, many variants of the name Breitenau have appeared such as Breiteneick, Breitenbach, Breitenhoefer, and Breitenlohner, just to name a few.
Overall, the last name Breitenau is most common in northern Germany today and is believed to have a Germanic origin referring to a meadow or open plain where those with the surname originally lived. People with this surname can be found in Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Austria, and the United States.
Variations of the surname Breitenau
The surname Breitenau, of German origin, has many variants, spellings, and other surnames of similar origin. The most frequent variants of this surname are Breetenauer, Breetenau, Breitenauer, and Breitenou.
Some spellings of the same origin are: Brettenauer, Breetenower, Brettenow, Breetenow, Breetenauer, Breetenow, Breitenower, and Breitenau.
Depending on the part of Germany the family was located, other surnames of the same origin adopted in the past are: Breitenohl, Breitenshow, Breetenschow, Bretenschow, Breitenschow, Breitenshow, and Breitensohl.
The German word 'Au' often means meadow, which along with 'Breete' as a marker of a place, suggests this surname could have been adopted by a person or persons who originally came from a settlement near a meadow.
Also of similar origin, from which the surname Breitenau is derived, are Weissensteiner, Offerizzo, Breitensteiner, Breitenband, Bredensteiner, and Orefizio.
In conclusion, the surname Breitenau, has many variants, spellings, and other surnames of the same origin. Depending on the part of Germany the family was located, some of the variants and spellings include: Breetenauer, Breetenow, Breitenauer, Breitenow, Breitenohl, Breitenshow, Breetenschow, Bretenschow, and Breitensohl.
Famous people with the name Breitenau
- Dr. Elisabeth Breitenau: A popular Austrian professor of Botany and Phycology, she is renown in her field for her work on the physiology of algae.
- Erwin Breitenau: Prominent Austrian industrial theorist and early member of the Social Democratic Workers' Party, he is celebrated for his contributions to the study of industrial economics and policy.
- Charles Breitenau: French composer from the 19th century, he is best known for his works for cello, including the widely popular "Etude for Cello".
- Hans Breitenau: German Marine officer and recipient of the Iron Cross during World War II, he served in the Mediterranean Sea and the Baltic Sea in the early 1940s.
- Aloys Breitenau: Austrian physicist and professor of experimental physics at the University of Innsbruck, he is hailed for his work in the field of atomic spectroscopy.
- Luise Breitenau: Austrian singer and actress, she is remembered for her performances in operettas and light operas as well as her role in the 1895 Austrian film, Musik in der Haube.
- Ailene Breitenau: American novelist and short story writer, she is celebrated for her works of Southern romance fiction, including the popular 1950 novel, The Life and Times of Miss Mississippi.