Surname Buchwald - Meaning and Origin

Exploring Buchwald Lineage: A Personal Account of my Genetic Test Experience at iGENEA

After completing my DNA test with iGENEA, I had a detailed comprehension of my genealogical lineage, specifically regarding the surname Buchwald. Through technical proficiency and accuracy, the test expanded my understanding of the Buchwald lineage's roots in Central Europe, providing a sense of heritage and kinship.

U. Buchwald

Buchwald: What does the surname Buchwald mean?

Buchwald is a German and Jewish surname, most commonly associated with people of German, Austrian, and Czech descent. It is derived from the Middle High German word ‘buchwalt’, which means ‘keep watch’ or ‘guard the woods’. This suggests that the original Buchwald ancestor was likely a forester, a woodcutter, or a gamekeeper. It’s likely that the Buchwalds originated from a small village in what is now southern Germany; records show that people with the name were living in the area as far back as the 13th century.

Many of the Buchwalds made their way to America in the late 1800s and early 1900s. They settled mostly in the Midwest, in cities such as Chicago, Cincinnati, and St. Louis. Some of the more prominent Buchwalds have included famous syndicated newspaper columnist Art Buchwald, former US Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall, singer and musician Lesley Gore, composer Irving Berlin, and Deutsche Bank chairman Josef Ackermann.

Today, the Buchwalds are scattered all around the world — with people having the name living and working in different countries, in different professions. No matter the location, though, there’s no denying the proud and long-standing legacy of the Buchwalds, their hard working ancestors, and their legacy of keeping watch over the woods.

Buchwald: Where does the name Buchwald come from?

The surname Buchwald is most commonly found in Germany, and to a lesser extent in Austria and Switzerland. It is believed to have originated in Bavaria, an area in south-eastern Germany known for its old-world charm and fairy-tale-like scenery, where it is still quite common today. The name is derived from Middle High German and can be translated to mean "beech forest."

Outside of Germany, the surname Buchwald is most commonly found in the United States, primarily in major cities such as New York and Los Angeles. Today, many Americans of all backgrounds have adopted the name, including descendants of German immigrants, celebrities, and notable figures.

As more people with the Buchwald surname continue to immigrate into the U.S., it is likely to become even more widespread. In addition to the U.S., it can also be found in Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and various other countries around the world.

Though it is not as widely found as some other surnames, the Buchwald surname has a long and rich history that will continue to live on as its descendants spread across the globe.

Variations of the surname Buchwald

Buchwald is a German surname that has many variants, spellings and surnames of similar origin. These variations include Büchwald, Buechwald, Buechwalt, Buechwaldt, Bueckwald, Buechawald, and Bueckawaldt.

The meaning of this surname is derived from the old Germanic word “bogen” meaning “bow” and “wald” meaning “forest”, thus figuratively meaning “one in the bow-forest”. Historians suggest that the bearers of this surname were those with the occupation of bow-makers living in a woodland area or those who hunted with bow and arrow.

This name is also found in variants such as Bochwald, Boechwald, Boeckwald, Boxwald, Boxwalt and their equivalent spellings could also indicate a variation of the original Germanic spelling. Surnames such as Bockwald and Bueckwald are derived from this surname as well.

Within English-speaking countries, Buchwald is typically found as “Bookwood” and "Bookwalt". There are also variations of Buchwald in Poland, such as Bucwald, Bucwalda, Bucwaldowska, and Bucwaldowo.

In Hebrew, the surname is found as Büchwald, and in Russia the spelling can be Buhwald. Additionally, variant spellings such as Buechowald and Boechwald are found in Austria. The variant surname Bueckwald can be found in Norway. Ultimately, Buchwald is a very ancient surname, and has many regional and foreign variations.

Famous people with the name Buchwald

• Art Buchwald: American humorist, syndicated columnist, and author
• Harold Buchwald: American physicist and technologist
• Marty Buchwald: American professional basketball player
• Jacob Buchwald: German astronomer
• Rick Buchwald: American television journalist
• Michaela Buchwald: Canadian singer and actor
• Daniel Buchwald: American chemist
• David Buchwald: American lawyer and politician
• Edmund Buchwald: German theologian
• Hermann Buchwald: German composer and critic.

Other surnames

BuchwalderBuchwälderBuchwaldtBuchwalter