Surname Breitinger - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'B'
Breitinger: What does the surname Breitinger mean?
The last name Breitinger is of German origin and is derived from the old German word "breyting," meaning "to break." This suggests that the original bearers of the name were in some way associated with breaking or breaking in of horses. This could refer to the profession of horse-breaker, someone who tamed or trained untamed horses. It may also have originally referred to people who bred horses, particularly those who had a strong, reliable and well-bred stock. This name has evolved over time and is now found in several different countries including Germany, Switzerland, the United States and Canada.
Breitinger is an uncommon but widespread name, with its use being particularly strong in Germany. It is possible that some early immigrants with the name Breitinger may have emigrated from Switzerland, as this is one of the earliest known uses of the name.
The name Breitinger is also associated with some branches of the Lutheran church, since it was adopted by some families in the 17th century to honor Martin Luther, the main founder of the Lutheran faith.
The meaning of "Breitinger" is often viewed as something associated with breaking, taming and refining, suggesting that the individuals of the Breitinger family are strong and have the ability to break down any obstacle. The name is still used today, and its original meaning still carries some significance.
Order DNA origin analysisBreitinger: Where does the name Breitinger come from?
The last name Breitinger is not a particularly common name, and is most often found in German-speaking regions, particularly in the south and southeast of Germany. According to Ancestry.com, the most common places to find it are the regions of Baden-Wurttemberg and Bavaria, although you can also find the occasional Breitinger in Austria and Switzerland.
The last name is derived from the Middle High German word breitinger, meaning "one from a broad field". It was originally an occupational name used to describe those who worked on broad fields of land, so it is probably no coincidence that it is commonly found in areas known for agriculture.
Breitinger is still a quite rare name, but there have been some famous examples - primarily in the field of sports. German ice hockey player Andrew Breitinger was an Olympic Bronze Medallist in 2010, and German footballers Ingo and Carsten Breitinger have both been part of the Bundesliga and other German leagues since the mid-90s.
Overall, Breitinger is still a rare surname, and it is most commonly found in the German speaking regions of Europe, especially in the south and east of the country. Although it is more widespread today than it was in the past, the last name is still relatively unknown outside of a small region of the world.
Variations of the surname Breitinger
The surname Breitinger has a range of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Breadinger, Breidinger, Breidtinger, Breidinger, Breitman, Breitmann, Breitmeyer, Breitenberger, Breitenboch, Breitenfeld, Breitenbacher, Breitenbach, Breading, Breiding, Breiting, Breitinger, Breidinger, Breitling, Brethauer, Brethauers, and Brethauer.
Breitinger is an occupational surname, derived from the old German prepersunal name Breit, which means ‘wide’. This surname was likely used to denote someone who owned a wide estate or farm. Alternatively, Breitinger may also have derived from the Middle High German word breiten, which means ‘to board’ or ‘to provide food’, thus making it an occupational name for a publican or a caterer.
The earliest record of the Breitinger surname dates back to the 16th century; prominent instances include Johannes Breadinger, who was recorded in Bern in 1567, as well as Dageren Breidinger of Langemberg, who was recorded in 1573. In addition, there were multiple instances of the Breitinger surname throughout Germany in the 18th century; these include families from Hanover, Rastatt, Groebenzell, and Alsace.
Today, the Breitinger surname is still common and can be found throughout Europe, especially in Germany. With its various variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, this is an oft-seen surname.
Famous people with the name Breitinger
- William Louis Breitinger: classical composer, producer, and arranger from Nashville, Tennessee.
- Galvin Breitinger: musician, composer, and songwriter from Pennsylvania.
- Christine Breitinger: model and actress from California.
- Adam Breitinger: former NFL offensive lineman for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
- David Breitinger: artist and designer from California.
- Mike Breitinger: former MLB pitcher for the Seattle Mariners.
- Christina Breitinger: freelance writer, editor, and media specialist from Pennsylvania.
- Janel Breitinger: sports reporter for Alpha Media.
- Andrew Breitinger: former executive chef at the Four Seasons Hotel.
- Kara Breitinger: contemporary artist from Minnesota.