Surname Breitschwerdt - Meaning and Origin
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Breitschwerdt: What does the surname Breitschwerdt mean?
The last name Breitschwerdt is a German surname and comes from the German words "breit" which means "wide," and "schwerdt," which means "sword." This likely refers to a blacksmith or swordsmith. It is thought to be derived from the Middle High German word Schwerde or Schwerd which means an "axe, sword, or halberd." The Breitschwerdt family was likely one who had a long and distinguished history in blacksmithing and weapons production, as well as having a reputation for their craftsmanship.
The family was spread throughout Germany and eventually across Europe with various spellings of the name. This included Breitschwerdt, Breitschwerter, Breitschwert, Breitschwerdter, and Breitschwerdt. Members of the Breitschwerdt family were also among the first symbols of German noble blood, as they were descendants of the first Count of Breitschwerdt, Wilhelm Dietrich Greif von Breitschwerdt, who was born in 1685.
Today, the Breitschwerdt name is still associated with a family with a long history and a great reputation for craftsmanship. With its roots in blacksmithing and weapons production, the Breitschwerdt family is still associated with a high level of quality and precision.
Order DNA origin analysisBreitschwerdt: Where does the name Breitschwerdt come from?
The last name Breitschwerdt is most commonly found in Germany and other countries in Eastern Europe, such as Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania. The name is also found in some parts of the United States and Canada.
The Breitschwerdt family has been recorded in many areas in Germany, especially in the area near Stralsund, Rostock and Güstrow in the northeastern part of the country. The earliest record of the Breitschwerdt family dates back to 1547, in the Gandersee area of the Mecklenburg region.
In the United States, the Breitschwerdt surname was found primarily in Pennsylvania and a few states further west, such as Missouri and Ohio. The state of California also had a few records of the family. Breitschwerdts in the US changed their name to Brightsword, although the spelling looks slightly different.
A large number of Breitschwerdts, both with the original German spelling and altered spellings like Brightsword, moved to Canada in the 19th century. They mostly settled in Saskatchewan and Newfoundland.
Today, Breitschwerdt is still a fairly common name, at least in Germany. Census records show that about 1,500 people with that last name currently live in the country. It is also found in the US, Canada, and other parts of Europe, in much smaller numbers.
Variations of the surname Breitschwerdt
The surname Breitschwerdt has several variants, alternative spellings, and related surnames.
The most common variant of the surname is "Breitscheidt", which is generally used in the USA. This may be an Anglicization of the original German name, or the result of a typographical error in some immigration records.
Another variant of the surname is "Breitscheid" or "Breitscheider". This variant is sometimes used in place of "Breitschwerdt" in Austria and Germany, and can also be found in other parts of the world.
The variant "Breitspreider" is more commonly found in Switzerland and surrounding countries, while "Breitschweiger" is more prevalent in Germany.
The surname "Breitschwert" and its related spellings are also found. This is a variation of the spelling of "Breitschwerdt" that is more commonly found in Switzerland and Eastern Europe.
Other related surnames include "Breitschuh", "Breitschwer", "Breitschwertz", "Breitzschu", and "Breitweiser".
Additionally, a variant of the surname "Bracht" is derived from the original surname "Breitschwerdt". Bracht, which can also be found spelled as "Brack", is a common German surname. It is believed to be an alternate spelling or version of the surname Breitschwerdt.
Famous people with the name Breitschwerdt
- Rubén Breutschwerdt: He is a professional Argentinian football player who currently plays for Chilean Primera División side Deportes Antofagasta.
- Wolfgang Breitschwerdt: Wolfgang Breitschwerdt is a German astrophysicist and Professor Emeritus from the University of Tübingen. He is well known for his studies on interstellar medium, cosmic rays, high-energy gamma-ray emissions, and the interstellar matter of other galaxies.
- Emil Breitschwerdt: Emil Breitschwerdt was a German Romantic composer and conductor. He is remembered today for his two-act opera, Der Pfeifengesang, which he conducted and wrote in 1843.
- Gerhard Breitschwerdt: Gerhard Breitschwerdt is the current director and founder of the Department of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Hannover, Germany.
- Heinrich Breitschwerdt: A German opera singer, he was a Principal Bass at the Cologne Opera from 1937-1944.
- Wilfried Breitschwerdt: A French literary critic and university professor, Wilfried Breitschwerdt is the author of numerous books including “Psychology and the Theory of Literature”.
- Burkhard Breitschwerdt: A German physicist and professor at the Institute of Nuclear and Particle Physics at TU Dresden, Germany, Burkhard Breitschwerdt is well known for his work in theoretical and experimental astrophysics
- Karl Breitschwerdt: A German film actor who appeared in two films in 1929, Karl Breitschwerdt had an impressive career in silent films.