Surname Bültge - Meaning and Origin

Bültge: What does the surname Bültge mean?

The name Bültge is a German surname of quite recent origin. It is derived from the Old High German word “veltin”, which refers to a forest clearing or farmland. This type of place is often found near a small village or a place of worship.

In present day German, the word “veltge” has come to refer to a stream in a forest or to a field or meadow near a larger area of woodland. This meaning has transferred to the surname Bültge.

People with the surname Bültge traditionally occupied an agricultural lifestyle and were likely to have been involved in the forestry or timber industry. Later, surnames beginning with “Bültge” were also known to refer to merchants, as well as to tradesmen such as craftsmen and carpenters.

An additional meaning of the Bültge surname is that of “mindful protection” or “watchful care”. This reflects the traditional desire of people with this surname to protect their families, homes and possessions against harm.

This meaning has been retained in the Bültge family name today, with individuals bearing the name often displaying a strong sense of responsibility and a protective streak. This can be seen in the commitment and dedication of many Bültge family members to their respective professions.

Bültge: Where does the name Bültge come from?

The last name Bültge is predominantly found in northwestern Germany, with a few instances in neighboring countries. Within Germany, the most concentrated areas in which Bültge is found are Lower Saxony, Lower Franconia, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Hesse.

The name is also common in parts of the former West Prussia, which is currently divided between Poland and Russia, and in the areas of Silesia that now lie in the Polish and Czech Republics.

Further east, the name Bültge has been found in eastern Germany's Hannover, Pomerania, Saxony, and Thuringi, as well as in Belarus and Ukraine. It has rarely been found in Danzig, which is now the Polish city of Gdańsk.

Some Bültges have migrated to Norway, particularly during the 19th century. The largest concentration of the name today can be found in the United States, primarily concentrated in Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana.

Bültges are also found in some other countries, such as Canada, South Africa, and Australia. The Ancestry.com website ranks the name as the 13,298th most common surname in the United States and the 15,368th most common name in Germany.

Variations of the surname Bültge

The surname Bültge is of German origin and has a few variants, spellings and surnames related to it. The most common variants of the surname Bültge are Buelge, Bülgge, Buelgge, Buelge, Bielge, Büilgge, Bueilge and Bühltge. These are all slightly variant spellings of the surname Bültge.

Surnames related to the name Bültge include Buelt, Bühlt, Bühltz, Bult, Bulten, Bueltman, Bühl, Buhl, Buhlen, Bühle, Buehlmann, Buhlmann, Buhlmeyer, Buhlmeijer, and Bühler.

The first recorded spelling of the surname Bültge was found in 1581, in the city of Rotenburg, Hesse, Germany. The earliest reference of the form of the name used at that time was Bult or Bulte. This spelling changed over time and became Bültge in 1653, which is the standard spelling today.

In the mid 1800s, many members of the Bültge family emigrated from Germany to other parts of Europe and North America. The surnames related to Bültge spread throughout the world along with these families, creating a considerable number of related surnames.

The surnames related to Bültge can also be found in Latin America, especially in Brazil, where many German immigrants made a new life. In Brazil, Bültge is often spelled Buhl or Buhel. Throughout the world, the surname Bültge is associated with a long line of professions, including brewing and milling, which were popular family businesses during the Middle Ages.

Famous people with the name Bültge

• Michael Bültge: a German actor and musician, best known for his roles in a variety of films, including the popular drama Paradies, the Fate of Tina Fiebel, and the romantic comedy Herz im Kopf.
• Franziska Bültge: a German stage and screen actress, mostly known for her role in films like Herr Carl and Die Unschuldsvermutung.
• Katharina Bültge: a German actress who has acted in several television and film projects, including the cult horror classic The Blob and the popular drama Du bist meine Welt.
• Günther Bültge: a German songwriter and arranger, best known for working on projects with big names such as Peter Maffay, Rea Garvey, and Rocco Granata.
• Lars Bültge: a German actor, director, and producer who has created several films, primarily associated with suspense and mystery genres.
• Karoline Bültge: a German actress best known for her work in German television series such as Schnupperpraktikum and Die Blutfehde.
• Britta Bültge: a German journalist and author, known for her works on modern American literature, the European Union, and international politics.
• Sonja Bültge: a German film director and producer, mostly known for her collaboration with Jan-Ole Gerster on the hit movie Oh Boy.
• Felix Bültge: a German actor, affiliated with the Esta studio in Essen, who has appeared in films such as Der Tod In Den Bergen and Der Fall 78.
• Annika Bültge: a German author, playwright, and theatre director who has written several plays and scripts.

Other surnames

Bültges