Surname Bertschi - Meaning and Origin

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L. Bertschi

Bertschi: What does the surname Bertschi mean?

The last name Bertschi is an occupational surname of Swiss origin. It derives from the Middle High German word "bertz," meaning "farmer," and is one of the many surnames given to those of peasant ancestry.

The use of this surname in Switzerland reflects the agricultural history of the country, with many families relying on farming for subsistence. As such, the surnames with the root “bert” were likely taken on by generations of farmers.

It is believed that the use of Bertschi as a surname is a variation of the original Berchtold, as it is more commonly found in the older provinces of Switzerland, such as Valais and Bern.

It also appears that various spellings of the surname exist in different regions, such as Bartscher and Bartschi.

Today, it is estimated that the surname is found in over 12 countries around the world, accounting for both descendants of Swiss immigrants as well as those who adopted it later on.

The surname Bertschi has a long and rich history, with meaning rooted in the agrarian roots of old Swiss communities. For those with the surname, it serves as a reminder of their ancestry and connection to a distant past.

Bertschi: Where does the name Bertschi come from?

The last name Bertschi is most commonly associated with Switzerland, but it is also found in countries throughout Europe and North America.

In Switzerland, the last name Bertschi is particularly common in German-speaking regions, though it is also found in some other areas, such as the canton of Ticino in the south. In Switzerland, the last name is believed to derive from the profession of baking (Bäcker) or from a place name.

Outside of Switzerland, the last name Bertschi is found in both German-speaking countries (especially Germany, Austria, and Liechtenstein) and other countries, such as France, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In the US, the majority of the Bertschi family settled in the Midwest and Pennsylvania, with smaller settlements in California and Texas. The last name Bertschi is also increasingly common in Australia, due to immigration from Europe in recent times.

The last name Bertschi is very popular in many countries, and it remains a common last name in many places even today.

Variations of the surname Bertschi

Variations and spellings of Bertschi can include Bertsche, Berchtold, Berate, Burtschi, Birteschi, Bortsche, and even Bertshy. The Germanic origins of the Bertschi surname are derived from the Middle High German word "berht," which means "radiance or brightness."

The capitalizable spelling of Berchtold is more common in Austria and Switzerland, but is also used in other areas where Germanic language has been spoken for many generations. This spelling also appeared in records in North America during the 19th century, particularly in Canada and the United States.

The variant spelling of Burtschi is unique to Switzerland and is less common in other areas of the Germanic speaking countries.

The alternate spelling of Birteschi is more typical in Germany, with records of the surname being documented in the country as far back as the early 1700s.

The Germanic spelling of Bortsche is unique and can be found in records of all of the Germanicspeaking countries, particularly in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

Lastly, the variant spelling of Bertshy is associated with Polish and Czech-speaking regions, and can be found in records of eastern and central Europe as far back as the 16th century.

No matter the spelling variant, the Bertschi surname is derived from a Germanic word that means "radiance or brightness". All of the different variants are all linked to this single origin and are used in various regions of the Germanic-speaking world.

Famous people with the name Bertschi

• Maxime Bertschi: a professional footballer from Switzerland and currently plays for Amiens SC in the Ligue 1.
• Roland Bertschi: a Swiss visual artist who works mostly in painting and lithography.
• Elisabeth Bertschi: a Swiss Olympic synchronized swimmer who won bronze in the 1996 Olympics.
• Norbert Bertschi: a Swiss actor of stage and screen who has also done numerous voice-over and dubbing roles.
• Olivier Bertschi: a Swiss physicist who works as a professor at the University of Geneva and in the field of nanophotonics.
• Bernhard Bertschi: a competitive sailor and Olympic bronze medalist who competed in the 2012 London Olympics in the Star Class competition.
• Michael Bertschi: a Swiss attorney who has worked for the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia as well as a variety of international and corporate law firms.
• Jacques Bertschi: a Swiss teacher, composer, and amateur opera director whose most famous works include the opera “Barabbas”.
• Philippe Bertschi: a Swiss businessman who is the co-founder of a venture capital firm in Zurich, Switzerland.
• William Bertschi: a Swiss professional footballer who plays as a forward for FC Sion.

Other surnames

BertschBertscheBertschinger