Surname Bultmann - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'B'
Bultmann: What does the surname Bultmann mean?
The last name Bultmann is a patronymic surname of German origin. It is derived from the given name 'Bult' or 'Bolte', which is an archaic term for the name 'Wolf'. This is reflected in its etymology; the root words 'bult' or 'bolte' mean 'wolf', giving the surname 'Bultmann' the literal meaning of 'son of the wolf'.
The most common spelling of the surname is 'Bultmann', although variations such as 'Bultman', 'Bauleman', 'Bueltman' and 'Bueltmann' can also be found.
The name Bultmann is particularly concentrated in German-speaking countries, with the highest numbers found in Germany itself. It is thought to have originated in the northern regions of Germany, particularly in former kingdoms such as Schleswig-Holstein and Mecklenburg.
Bultmann has sometimes been used as a first name, notably by German theologian and Biblical scholar Rudolf Bultmann. It is not known if he chose the name to reflect its meaning, but it is possible that the name was handed down through his family line.
The surname provides an interesting insight into the German language and culture. It reveals a deep appreciation of the power and majesty of the wolf, which is why this animal has been venerated by the German people for centuries. Although the name is most closely associated with Germany, it is also found in countries around the world as more people with ancestral links to Germany have emigrated.
Order DNA origin analysisBultmann: Where does the name Bultmann come from?
The last name Bultmann is most commonly found in Germany. It is found in the German states of Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Hesse. It is also common in many other German speaking areas such as Austria, Switzerland, and Luxembourg. In Germany, Bultmann is the 16,654th most commonly used family name.
In terms of international distribution, the name Bultmann is still quite rare outside of German-speaking countries. In the United States, it is ranked 101,465th in popularity, while in France, it is ranked only 47,253rd. In the United Kingdom, it is even further down, ranked at just 109,076th.
It is also present in other countries where German has been a language of influence such as South Africa. As of October 2020, it is ranked 23,540th in popularity in South Africa. There is also a presence in countries such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, though it is rare, and only accounts for a small amount of the total population in these countries.
This indicates that despite its long history in Germany, the Bultmann surname does not appear to be as widespread today as some other German surnames. That said, the presence of the surname is still significant enough that it can be found in many German-speaking countries, as well as countries with German influence around the world.
Variations of the surname Bultmann
The surname Bultmann is of German and Dutch origin and usually found in those countries. It has many different spellings and variants, including Beltman, Beltmann, Beltzmann, Boultmann, Bultemann, and Bultman.
In Germany, Bultmann is a fairly common surname and is also found in the Netherlands, usually if the original Bultmann name comes from Germany. The family name is derived from the given name Bolte, which was a diminutive form of the name Bodo or Balther. This nickname stands for “bold man” in Old High German.
The variations of surnames for the Bultmann surname include Bolten, Boltman, Boltmann, Bulthuis and Bulte. Other variant forms of Bultman, found mostly in the Netherlands, include Boultham, Boulthan, Boulthoff,Bulltall and Beltz.
There are also some other forms of Bultmann, like Boltzmann and Bultemann, which are found mostly in the Netherlands and correspond to variants of Bultmann.
The spelling variants of the name Bultmann often have the letter ‘o’ or ‘e’ appearing at the beginning of the name in place of a ‘b’. For example, Bolten, Beltman, Beltmann, Boltzman, Boltzemann, Bolveman and Boultham.
In addition, surnames typically passed down from father to son, but if the original Bultmann name is not known, then one might look at other closely related surnames that may have evolved from the original surname, such as Bholke or Bocken.
Famous people with the name Bultmann
- Rudolf Bultmann: a German Lutheran theologian and professor of New Testament at the University of Marburg. He was one of the major figures of early 20th century biblical studies. Bultmann's program of "demythologizing" the New Testament attempted to discover the spiritual and ethical meaning of Jesus' message apart from any historical context.
- Hermann Bultmann: a German theologian and philosopher. He was an influential figure in the Lutheran church, and has been described as Among the most influential New Testament theologians of the 20th century. His major works include History and Eschatology, and his essay, History and Hermeneutics.
- Gertrud Bultmann: a German literary scholar who specialized in the works of the biblical commentator, Saint Jerome. She also wrote on the works of Martin Luther and the ideas of Karl Barth.
- Heinrich Bultmann: a German entomologist who specialized in the zoology of bees. He is best known for his book Aufzählung der wildbienen Mitteleuropas (1975) about the wild bees in Central Europe.
- Christian Bultmann: a German politician who served as Mayor of Berlin from 1931 to 1933. He was an early member of the Nazi party and active in local government.