Surname Berchter - Meaning and Origin
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Berchter: What does the surname Berchter mean?
The last name Berchter is a German surname derived from the word “birch”, which was a common type of tree that grew in regions with a temperate climate such as Germany.
During the Middle Ages, many castles, farms, and villages were surrounded by a large forest of birches. Because of this, certain families or clans may have adopted the term “birch” as a surname to distinguish themselves from the other clans living around them.
Over the years, the spelling of the surname has varies based on region and dialects, resulting in other possible spellings such as Bercher, Berchert, Bercht, and Berchtl.
It is likely that the Berchter surname refers to people from a farming background, as the tree species’ timber has long been used for cart-making and building houses and barns.
The surname Berchter was likely common in the German states and surrounding areas during the Middle Ages – though limited records make it difficult to trace the exact origins of many German surnames.
Today, the Berchter surname is a highly popular one in Germany and other countries of Germanic descent; its primary concentration of people with the surname primarily resides in the states of Bavaria and Saarland in Germany.
Order DNA origin analysisBerchter: Where does the name Berchter come from?
The last name Berchter is primarily found in Germany and the surrounding countries, including Austria, Switzerland, and in some parts of Eastern Europe. It is also known to be found in the Netherlands, and recently, has been associated with emigrants of Germanic origin who moved to the United States and Canada.
In Germany, Berchter is a popular name that is particularly prevalent in the states of Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Baden-Württemberg. There is a municipality called Berchtesgaden situated in the east of Bavaria, near the Austrian border, that is believed to be the origin of the last name.
Berchter families were often property-owning farmers in medieval times and were known to be loyal to their faith and traditions. Many accustomed to living a rural lifestyle but over time some migrated to cities, the army, and eventually to foreign countries.
As of 2016, there were 11,487 people in Germany with the last name Berchter, making it the 752nd most common surname in the country. This demonstrates that the name is still relatively prevalent today. There were an additional 1,000 people living in Austria and South Tyrol combined with the same last name. Smaller populations of Berchters can likely be found elsewhere in the world, but it is more uncommon than it was in earlier centuries.
Variations of the surname Berchter
The surname Berchter is derived from the Old Germanic given name Berchoht, which is composed of the elements 'beraht' or 'berah' meaning bright and 'coht' meaning youth or boy.
Berchter is the German spelling of the surname, but there are several regional and international variants. The variants are specifically found in the Netherlands and Belgium. These variants include Berkt, Berkth, Bercht, Berchtels, Berchaert, Berchters, Berckers, Bercherts, Berckhaerts, Berckhoffs, Berkkhoofs, Bergth, Perchter, and Perkth.
In the United States, the surname is found mostly among Dutch immigrants of the early 20th century, where it has been spelled Berckers and Berckhaerts. In Canada, the name is borne by the descendants of Flemish settlers who arrived during the 18th and 19th centuries, where it has been transcribed as Berkt, Berchtels and Bercht.
In England, the surname is found as Berckers and Berckhaerts as well as Perchter and Perkth among the descendants of Flemish settlers who have moved to the country in the late Middle Ages.
Overall, the surname Berchter has numerous variants and spellings, reflecting the many cultural influences of its European immigrant roots.
Famous people with the name Berchter
- Hans Dieter Berchter: A former Grand Prix motorcycle road racer.
- Friedel Berchter: A German World War II bomber pilot.
- Eberhard Berchter: A German judge and politician.
- Benedictus Berchter: A Dutch fashion designer.
- Debora Berchter: A Dutch rower.
- Michael Berchter: A German artist.
- Josef Berchter: A German theater director.
- Boris Berchter: A German composer.
- Heinz Berchter: A German actor.
- Wilhelm Berchter: A German philosopher and theologian.
- Ernst Berchter: A German neo-expressionist painter.
- Joseph Berchter: An Austrian-Jewish poet.
- Friedrich Berchter: A German politician.
- August Berchter: A German lawyer and politician.
- Andrea Berchter: An Austrian poet and writer.
- John Berchter: An American actor.
- Agnes Berchter-Meyer: A German visual artist.