Surname Burgstaler - Meaning and Origin

Burgstaler: What does the surname Burgstaler mean?

The surname Burgstaler is of German origin and is derived from two elements: “Burg” and “Staal”. “Burg” is derived from the older German word “burgi” meaning “fortified”. This likely references a large building or home, possibly a castle or manor. “Staal” is derived from “Stall”, which means “stable.” Therefore, Burgstaler can roughly be loosely translated to “fortified stable.”

The most likely explanation for the surname is that it is an occupational name for a person responsible for the care of animals in stables. This would have been a relatively important role in medieval German culture as the family’s livestock would often times have daily living quarters within the castle walls. During this time period stables were in need of specialized and knowledgeable care due to the importance of the animals for transportation, labor, trading, and eventually food and other sources of income.

As is often the case with word origins, there are several interpretations for the meaning of the surname. It could also be a locational name, referring to a place where a fort stood, or a fortified village. Many place-names often became adapted as surnames.

Regardless of the exact origin, the Burgstaler surname is most closely linked to the care of animals and could be interpreted as meaning “stables at the fort” or “stablekeeper of the fort.” The keepers of the Burgstalers were likely in a position of trust and responsibility, and those bearing the name were most likely prone to hard work and diligence.

Burgstaler: Where does the name Burgstaler come from?

The last name Burgstaler is primarily found in Germany. It has its origin in the Middle Ages in what is now northern Germany. One theory suggests it stems from a variant of an old German word “Burgstelle” which means “fortified location”. This would suggest the family had ties to a fortified area, most likely a noble family.

Today, the last name Burgstaler can be found in both small and large cities spread across Germany. Data from the 1990 census in Germany indicated that it was most common in the states of Hesse and Bavaria, although smaller numbers were also found in other areas including Thuringia, Saxony-Anhalt and Lower Saxony.

The name is also scattered across other parts of the world, especially where German immigrants settled in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries to places like the United States, Canada, and Brazilian [sic] states of Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina and Paraná. Descendants of these settlers continue to use the last name Burgstaler today.

Variations of the surname Burgstaler

The surname Burgstaler is derived from Middle High German and is a compound word created from the words “burg” and “staler”. It is thought to have originated as a name for a person who lived in or near a castle, fort or fortified area.

The variants of the surname Burgstaler include Burgstahler, Burgstailer, Burgstailor, Bergstaeler, Burgsstaeler, Burgstaller, Borelstiler, Borlstellaer, Borlsteller and Borlstiller. The spellings of the surname can vary from region to region and the different English-language spellings are Bergsteller, Bergstailer, Bergstaller, Burghstaller and Burghsteller.

In addition to these spelling and variant forms, there are also many surnames that have been derived from Burgstaler, including Borlsteiner, Borstenberger, Burgsteller, Borstinger and Borsteler. All of these surnames come from the same Middle High German origins and essentially mean “dweller near the Fortress”.

This surname may also be found in other language forms, such as Jewish names like Burgstain or Burgstein and Dutch surname like Burgstede or Burgstede-Kunst.

The surname Burgstaler is an uncommon one, yet it is still found in many parts of the world, especially among the descendants of German or Dutch immigrants who settled in the United States, Canada and Australia.

Famous people with the name Burgstaler

• Glen Burgstaler: American professional soccer player who was drafted by DC United in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft.
• Jack Burgstaler: Former national-level rower from the United States, who won two gold medals in the men's eight events at the summer Olympics in 1988 and 1992.
• Paul Burgstaler: Professor of electrical engineering and computer science at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, famous for his contributions to distributed computing.
• Ryan Burgstaler: Former professional ice hockey player who had stints in the NHL, AHL, and ECHL.
• Richard Burgstaler: Award-winning sculptor and artist who has won numerous awards such as the Luks Award and the JS Guggenheim Fellowship.
• Mark Burgstaler: Former professional American football player who played in the NFL for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the St Louis Rams.
• Steven Burgstaler: Military veteran and entrepreneur who went on to found his own successful business.
• Albert Burgstaler: German WW2 Tank Commander who is studied in military schools across Europe for his success in various tank battles.
• John Burgstaler: Award winning journalist and long-time editor of the New York Times.
• Albert Burgstaler Jr.: American football player who was drafted in the second round of the 1982 NFL Draft by the New York Jets.

Other surnames

BurgstahlerBurgstaller