Surname Burtscheid - Meaning and Origin

Burtscheid: What does the surname Burtscheid mean?

The last name Burtscheid is derived from a combination of two German words - "Burgh" and "Scheid". The term "Burgh" was the Old High German equivalent of the modern German word "burg" or "fortress", meaning a defense or stronghold. "Scheid" was an Old German term meaning "split or divide", and referred to any form of boundary or separation.

Together, the two terms combine to create a meaning which has been interpreted as either "fortified boundary area" or "border in front of a town". This could refer to a physical boundary such as a river, mountain range or other geographical feature, or to a political or social boundary between two locations that are close to each other.

The Burtscheid surname is quite rare, primarily because it only arises in a few specific areas of Germany including Lower-Rhine, Westphalia, Saxony and Thuringia. It is also believed to be one of the oldest surnames in the country, and is associated with people that originally lived in general vicinity of old fortresses or municipalities. This is likely due to its origin, as its shared root "burgh" or "fort" may have indicated an early association with these types of defensive settlements.

The Burtscheid surname is also associated with nobility, as it has appeared on many noble family trees and pedigrees in Germany over the centuries. Its origins therefore lend support to the idea that its bearers were privileged with a special defence, protection, and even autonomy within their area of residence.

Burtscheid: Where does the name Burtscheid come from?

The last name Burtscheid is most commonly associated with the German region of Westphalia. This area is located in the Northwestern part of Germany and includes parts of the modern day state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The city of Burtscheid is located in the Westphalian region of Germany and has been a commune since the middle of the 19th century. The most recent census estimates that roughly 7,000 people in the area have the last name Burtscheid, many of whom can trace their family roots back multiple generations.

The Burtscheid family is believed to have a long standing history in the area, with the first known Burtscheid family member dating back to 1252. The name was likely derived from the place of their origin which was finally settled and named after the family in the 16th century. In modern times, the Burtscheid family is still quite active in the Westphalian region and have been for multiple generations.

The Burtscheid family has also been found to have migrated to other parts of Germany over the course of the centuries, however, the vast majority of people with the last name Burtscheid today are located in the Westphalian region of Germany. The precise number of people globally with the last name Burtscheid is unknown, however, the last name has been found to have a strong presence within the region of Westphalia, with much of the population being able to trace their ancestry back to numerous generations of Burtscheid family members.

Variations of the surname Burtscheid

Burtscheid is a rare surname of German and Dutch origin. It is an occupational surname derived from the Old German term, "burc-scalt," meaning “fortification controller.” Despite the surname’s rarity, there are several variants, spellings, and other surnames related to Burtscheid, which may be helpful for anyone attempting to trace their roots.

The most common variant is spelled “Burschede.” An alternate spelling is “Burschet.” There are also variants such as "Burschied," "Burschiedt," and "Burscheite" which are more uncommon.

In addition to variants, there are a few nicknames related to Burtscheid. These include “Bursch” and “Burtsch.” There are also some additional surnames of German and Dutch origin with similar meanings, such as “Bosselman” “Bostelman”, “Borström”, and “Borsten”.

Finally, there are also a few researchable surnames which may be related to Burtscheid. These resemble the sound of Burtscheid, but may not have an etymological connection. Such surnames include “Bursch”, “Bursche”, and “Burscheid”.

While the variants, spellings, and related surnames related to Burtscheid may not be exact matches, they are still useful to examine for anyone attempting to trace their family roots.

Famous people with the name Burtscheid

• Wilhelmina Burtscheid (1890–1921), German General, resistance fighter and heroine
• Eric Burtscheid (born 1977), German footballer
• Michael Burtscheid (1919–2015), German football athlete
• Victoria Johanna Burtscheid (born 1989), German swimmer
• Piet Burtscheid (born 1990), German public relations expert
• Doug Burtscheid (born 1977), American snowboarder
• Enno Burtscheid (1937–2019), German physicist
• Silke Burtscheid (born 1969), German actress
• Axel Burtscheid (born 1974), German writer and university teacher
• Johannes Burtscheid (born 1958), German banker and entrepreneur

Other surnames

BurtscheidtBurtscheit