Surname Breitbarth - Meaning and Origin

Breitbarth: What does the surname Breitbarth mean?

The last name Breitbarth is of German origin. It is composed of two elements;breit meaning ‘wide’ and Barth meaning ‘furrow’ or ‘ridge’. This surname originates from someone who did or lived near a wide furrow or ridge – perhaps a mountain ridge or a hill. This name could also have been acquired by someone from a wide open area on a mountain or hill side.

The surname Breitbarth is likely to have come from one of numerous geographically linked names found in the German language. Surnames derived from places usually began with medieval settlements that were first found in the German region of the Rheinland-Palatinate, located in the South-western region of the country. As with many surnames, the spelling of the name was changed through time with variations including Breitbarth, Breitbarth, and Breithoerth.

The original local pronunciation of the name Breitbarth is "brite-BAHRTH,” with the ‘Ba’ being pronounced as in ‘bat’ and with the ‘th’ being pronounced as in ‘the.’ This is reflected in the German spelling of the surname: Breitbarth.

Examples of the surname Breitbarth and its variants can be found throughout the world, particularly in Germany, the US, and Great Britain. The genealogical records for this surname indicate a broad range of locations where this family was known to live or have descendants.

The family motto of the Breitbarth name is "Nehmen und Vergeben" which means “take and give.” This motto encourages family members to take what they need and give generously of themselves.

Breitbarth: Where does the name Breitbarth come from?

The last name Breitbarth is quite common today in areas that were historically German. This includes parts of the United States, Canada, and Australia.

In the United States, the surname is most commonly found in Pennsylvania, but also throughout the Midwest and Northeast. This is largely due to the wave of German immigrants that arrived in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Family history websites such as Ancestry.com show that this name appears in states such as Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, New Jersey, and New York.

In Canada, Breitbarth is found in the provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, as well as the Northwest Territories - all of which were historically very popular destinations for German immigrants.

Australia, too, saw an influx of German immigrants in the 19th and 20th centuries, and the name Breitbarth is found in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Queensland.

Today, the Breitbarth surname is more widely spread than ever before thanks to the world's many waves of migration. Due to its German origin, it is still most common in German-speaking countries such as Germany, Austria and Switzerland, as well as in German diaspora communities around the world.

Variations of the surname Breitbarth

Breitbarth is a German surname originating from the German words breit (wide) and bart (beard). This surname is believed to refer to a person who was distinguished by having a full, wide beard. Historically, the spelling of surnames often changed with the different dialects and languages of the region or country they lived in. As such, many variants can be found for the surname Breitbarth.

Variations of this surname include Breitbarth, Brettbarth, Breitbort, Bretborth, Brebtbarth, Breitebarth, Breutbarth, Breutbort, Breitbarth (with an additional t at the end), Breitbart, and Brettor. All of these versions use similar spelling conventions, but can be believed to be the same surname with the slight differences probably being attributed to different regions across Europe and the passage of time.

In addition to the variants listed, there are many surnames related to Breitbarth which can be traced to similar origins. These include Brittar, Breithardt, Britebart, Breitmayer, and Bretthart. While these do not necessarily have the same spelling, many of them have the same meaning and root in Germanic dialects.

Overall, Breitbarth is a German surname that can trace its history back hundreds of years. Its many variants and related surnames are evidence of its ancient and widespread origin.

Famous people with the name Breitbarth

• David Breitbarth: Actor, director, and producer best known for his performance in the Oscar-nominated The Dark Knight Rises in 2012.
• Thomas Breitbarth: German TV actor who has starred in films such as The Bourne Legacy and X-Men: First Class.
• Laura Breitbarth: Model and actress who starred in the Netflix series The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.
• Elizabeth Breitbarth: British theatre actress and singer, best known for leading roles in the productions of Bells, Les Misérables, A Little Night Music, and Into the Woods.
• Paul Breitbarth: Musician and songwriter signed to Universal Music, best known for his single "Paranoid" released in 2014.
• Frank Breitbarth: German footballer who played for SV Waldhof Mannheim and SSV Ulm 1846.
• Fabian Breitbarth: German journalist and correspondent for several publications, including Der Spiegel and Die Zeit.
• Jacob Breitbarth: Academy Award-winning filmmaker and editor, best known for his work on the film Schindler's List.
• Brad Breitbarth: Former National Football League (NFL) player who spent time with the San Diego Chargers and Pittsburgh Steelers.
• Friedrich Breitbarth: German-American geographer, historian, and cartographer, best known for his work on the History of German Maps in the 19th Century.

Other surnames

Breitbart