Surname Bult - Meaning and Origin
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Bult: What does the surname Bult mean?
The last name Bult is of Dutch origin and it is derived from the Old Dutch word 'bult,' which means 'a small hill or mound.' It is believed that the name came about when some of the earliest bearers of it had lived near such a geographic feature. The name Bult is most commonly found in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. It can also be found in other parts of Europe, North America, and South Africa.
The Dutch surname Bult is primarily an occupational name for one who was involved in the digging and cultivating of soils to form mounds or to create terraces as part of the land development process. This profession of the Bult surname is likely why it is associated with those small hills or mounds.
Nowadays, the Bult surname is also seen as a patronymic or family name and is given to children whose father is from the same lineage as the original Bult family. In this context, the Bult surname represents a familial bond between generations and is a sign of a rich Dutch heritage.
The Bult name is unique in that it can have both a geographic and a familial connotation attached to it. Ultimately, this surname represents the long Dutch heritage and the familial ties that have passed down through generations.
Order DNA origin analysisBult: Where does the name Bult come from?
The last name Bult is most commonly found today in Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium. This is likely due to the fact that the name Bult originated as a Dutch variation of Bolt, a German name. Today, the Netherlands has the highest concentration of people with this surname. This could be attributed to the country’s strong historical presence in the early days of immigration.
The name also appears in South African records, but primarily in Afrikaans-speaking areas. In the United States, the name appears mainly among people of Dutch heritage - many of whom immigrated to the US in the late 19th to early 20th century. Similarly, in Canada the same trend can be observed. Canadians of Dutch origin often choose to shorten the name to 'Bult' and use it as a surname.
Finally, the name is not uncommon in East Asian countries like China, where it may be used as a transliteration of the Dutch spelling. It is also seen in Indonesia, as this was one of the main countries colonized by Dutch settlers.
Overall, the last name Bult is widespread around the world, most notably in areas of Europe, North America, and East Asia, where Dutch, German, and Afrikaans-speaking people reside.
Variations of the surname Bult
The surname Bult is of German and Dutch origin. Variant spellings of this surname include Bulte, Bultman, and Boulton. The variants Bultmann and Bultman are derived from a diminutive of the phrase "man of the hill." Bulte is derived from the Dutch phrase "de Bult" or "the hill." Boulton is an English variant that comes from Buldon, a hill mentioned in the Domesday Book.
The surname Bult can also be found as Bolt, Bultes, Boltman, Boult, Boulte, Buleton, and Boullton. However, these names are often thought to have been given to individuals from the areas around Bolton, England.
The less common variants of the surname Bult include Bulner, Buner, Buelle, Buel, Buels, Bollee, Bolts, Buehl, Buell, Buhl, Bullis, and Buelser.
Other variations can be seen in different parts of Europe such as Bulto, Bultos, Bultyn, and Bultynck, which are Dutch variants of the name. The variation Bultys is found in Lithuania. Finally, Bultenzorg is a variation found in Suriname.
Overall, the surname Bult is incredibly varied. The variants, spellings, and surnames with the same origin vary due to the scattered nature of European migration in centuries past. With so many variants and spellings for the same name, it is helpful to explore records and family trees to determine the exact origin of a name.
Famous people with the name Bult
- Arni Bult: A Danish professional golfer who has won several European Senior Tour events including his debut victory at the 2011 Valle Romano Open de España Senior.
- Alec Bult: An Australian football player who made his professional debut with the Western Sydney Wanderers in 2017 and is currently playing for Newcastle Jets.
- Erik Bult: A Dutch film actor, best known for his roles in the Dutch films "De President" (1966) and "Sollicitatiegesprek" (1968).
- Henk Bult: A Dutch former road and track cyclist, who was a professional rider for over a decade. He won the prestigious Tour of Flanders in 1976, and a bronze medal at the 1977 UCI Road World Championships.
- Jan Bult: A Dutch athlete who competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics. He was a member of the Dutch judo team that finished ninth in the team event.
- Tom Bult: An American former Major League Baseball pitcher who played in three games for the Minnesota Twins.
- Wessel Bult: A Dutch rowing sailor who competed in the 1972 Summer Olympics and the 1976 Summer Olympics.
- Arnold Bult: A Dutch politician, lawyer and diplomat. He served as Ambassador of the Netherlands to France from 1990 to 1995, and Minister of Economic Affairs from 1995 to 1998.