Surname Berthele - Meaning and Origin
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Berthele: What does the surname Berthele mean?
The last name Berthele is of French origin and is an occupational name derived from the Old French terms for ‘workers, tenants or labourers’. It is found predominately in areas of France such as Auvergne, Limousin, Poitou-Charentes, Basse-Normandie and Pas-de-Calais.
The precise origin of the name is usually found in one of the many places in France known asBerthélé, Berlitélé, or Berthelem. This is derived from the Latin words for ‘berry’ (bertus) and ‘right’ (tèl). Thus, the name indicates those who worked in a place where a berry or other crop was grown on land that was ‘rightfully’ theirs.
The name Berthele, then, is likely to have originally been given to an agricultural worker or tenant farmer who owned the land they worked on. Over time, it has become attached to other occupations such as shoemakers, miners, carpenters and forge workers.
Today, this surname is shared by people who have both French and non-French ancestry. This suggests the name has been carried overseas by emigrants since the 19th century, as France lost some of its colonial territories and civil unrest grew in its motherland.
Though its modern spread is mainly due to migration and adaptation, the name Berthele recalls its French origins, and a people who settled in the land, struggled with the hardships that came their way, and persevered to build a better life.
Order DNA origin analysisBerthele: Where does the name Berthele come from?
The last name Berthele is a common surname in Europe, particularly in Germany, where it is most concentrated. It is also quite prominent in Switzerland, Austria, France, Luxembourg, and The Netherlands, although it is less concentrated in those countries compared with Germany. Additionally, the name is found fairly often in North and South America, as many German immigrants with the last name Berthele emigrated to the United States and Canada during the 19th century, particularly during the mid- to late-1800s.
The Bertheles of Germany typically trace their heritage back to a region called Swabia, an area located in the southwestern corner of the country that was once a part of the kingdom of Bavaria. The Berthel family name can be found (along with a number of slightly-varying spellings), going back as far as the 13th century, which is when the oldest known record of the name appears in German archives.
While the name has spread around the world, the highest concentrations of people with the last name Berthele today are still found in its homeland of Germany. The variation "Berthel" is the most commonly found in both Germany and the United States, with "Berthels" being the next most common in Germany and "Berthele" the second most common in the United States.
Variations of the surname Berthele
The surname Berthele can be one of the alternative spellings. It can be spelled in a variety of ways, as Barthalet, Barthalette, Berthault, Berthaulte, Berthaut, Berthaultes, and Berthellot. This surname is likely derived from the Old French words “bert” and “haut”, which together meant “bright mountain” or “high-spirited mountain”.
Variations of the surname Barthele can also have different international versions, including German variants such as Barthol and Bartholle, French variants such as Bertuel and Bertouille, and English variants such as Bartel and Barthel.
The surname Berthele can also have a few variants that are used as both surnames as well as given names. These include Berthold, Bertold, and Berthilde. All of these variants most likely derive from the same Latin root word as the surname Berthele.
Similarly, surnames with similar origins and pronunciations may also be used as variants. These include Barthe, Barthie, Barthely, Barthal, Bartelli, and Barthalis.
Finally, surnames with similar spellings and origins may also be used as variants of Berthele. These include Berthier, Bartholi, Bartholin, Barthez, Barthille, Barthalet, Berthault, Barthioz, and Barthiot.
Famous people with the name Berthele
- Andrea Bertele: Italian virtuoso jazz accordionist
- Gaston Bertele: Swiss Olympic downhill skier
- Ileana Berthele: Italian Olympic Alpine skier
- Pierre Berthele: French Olympic biathlete
- Umberto Bertele: Italian physicist
- Ulrich Bertele: German Olympic ice hockey player
- Emile Berthele: Swiss sculptor
- Mathieu Berthele: Swiss graphic designer and sculptor
- Alain Berthele: French alpine skier
- Johann Berthele: German playwright