Surname Berthu - Meaning and Origin
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Berthu: What does the surname Berthu mean?
The last name Berthu is a French surname of Norman origin. It is derived from the Old French word berc, meaning 'a small hill or mound,' and is likely a topographical surname referring to someone who lived on or near such a mound. It may also be derived from an old personal name.
In addition to its French origins, the last name Berthu has spread to parts of Switzerland, Italy, the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada. It is an uncommon name, often spelled Berth, Berthau or Bertho.
In France, the name Berthu was particularly concentrated in Lower Normandy and Calvados, regions with strong provincial identities developed after the Norman Conquest. Interestingly, it is not among the 1,000 most common surnames in France.
In the United States, the name Berthu is found primarily in the Midwest, particularly in Iowa, Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. In Canada, the surname is most commonly found in Quebec and Ontario.
The meaning of the last name Berthu will depend on the context in which it is used; for some people, it might represent their Norman roots, while for others, it may be a connection to their French-Canadian heritage. In any case, it is a reminder of the rich and diverse history of the Berthu family.
Order DNA origin analysisBerthu: Where does the name Berthu come from?
The last name Berthu is most commonly found in France. It is a French Huguenot surname, indicating that those with the name have an ancestry in the religious refugees who fled France during the 1600s to escape religious persecution. Immigration records show that some Berthu family members made their way to Canada, some dispersed throughout the United States, and some relocated to South Africa, joining other Huguenots in Cape Town.
Most records suggest that descendants of the original Berthu immigrants currently live in France, primarily in the northern part, the Charente-Maritime, and in the Auvergne region. The name is also prevalent in the United States, primarily in Louisiana, where a large number of French immigrants settled. In Canada, most Berthu descendants can be found in the province of Quebec.
The common variation of the name today is Beaumont, a less recognizable spelling of the name Berthu. The French version of Beaumont is Baux-Mont, with the “aux” being the same sound as “thu” in the original spelling. Some Berthu families have Anglicized their name even further over the years, resulting in some descendants using Bau-Mont, Bonmont, Beamont, and other variations.
No matter the spelling today, it is clear that the name Berthu has a long history. Sharing a common past and heritage with other French Huguenots whose families also arrived in Canada, the United States, and South Africa centuries ago makes it possible to connect many modern-day Berthu descendants back to their ancestry.
Variations of the surname Berthu
The surname Berthu has a few different spellings and variants, each with their own unique origin.
Berthu is a surname derived from the French town of Berthu, located in the Cote-d'Or department. It is thought to derive from the Germanic name Berht, meaning "shining one". The variation Bernard is also derived from the same roots, from the French "Bernard" or "Berte," meaning "strong as a bear".
The name Bertaux is most likely a corruption of Berthu. It is derived from the French bertal or "born from the soil". The surname Berton has its roots in the Germanic Berahthun, meaning "bright friend".
Berthy is a spelling variation of Berthu. It is derived from the Old Germanic Berhthelio, meaning "gift". Berville is a surname derived from the Norman French name Berville or "birch tree town".
Berthoud is derived from the Swiss-German Berchtol, meaning "bright ruler". The phonetically similar Berthod is most likely a variation of the surname Bertoud.
Bourthoullier and Bertoullier are both derived from the French bouteiller, meaning "wine bottle".
Finally, Bartou, Bartoul and Bartoo are all variants of Berthu. They are believed to be derived from the Arabian “Bar to”, meaning "God is the creator".
Famous people with the name Berthu
- Joséphine de La Baume-Berthu: French actress
- Bobby Berthu: French former professional footballer
- Michèle Berthu: French philosopher, sociologist and research director
- Julien Berthu: French Olympic swimmer
- Pierre Berthu: French historian
- Jean Berthu: French photographer
- Paul Berthu: French World War I aviator and early air racer
- Martine Berthu: French politician and former Member of the European Parliament
- Claude Berthu: French cinematographer
- Jacques Berthu: French palaeontologist and fossil hunter