Surname Burkhalter - Meaning and Origin
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iGENEA DNA Test: A Journey into the Burkhalter Legacy, My Self-Discovery and Enhanced Family Identity
As I opened the email containing my iGENEA DNA test results, the waves of curiosity quickly transformed into a newfound understanding of my family's surname, Burkhalter. The experience led me down a path of self-discovery, bringing forth a profound knowledge of my identity, rooted in an ancient lineage and rich historical relevance. It not only brought clarity to my lineage, but it also highlighted the bond shared by all Burkhalters spread across the globe.
S. Burkhalter
read moreBurkhalter: What does the surname Burkhalter mean?
The last name Burkhalter is of German origin and is derived from the Old High German words "burc" (city, fortified town or castle) and "halter" meaning holder, keeper or guardian. The name translates to "city keeper" and may refer to someone who was a gate keeper, an official or a guard in a fortified town or castle.
In the Middle Ages during the Holy Roman Empire, people were often identified by their surname based on the area in which they lived or the occupation they held. Thus, many surnames have a geographical or occupational origin, such as Burkhalter.
In modern times, the name is still largely found throughout Switzerland, Germany, and Austria, and it has also spread to other parts of the world, especially to North America, where it is very common.
The name may also have taken on a different meaning. In particular, in Yiddish, the name has become a synonym for a mild-mannered person.
No matter the original meaning, the name Burkhalter has stood the test of time, providing name recognition for many generations and different parts of the world.
Order DNA origin analysisBurkhalter: Where does the name Burkhalter come from?
The last name Burkhalter is a German-language surname that is common today in some parts of Switzerland, Germany, and the United States. In Switzerland, the Canton of Bern has the highest concentration of Burkhalters, with an estimated 844 people in 1980 and 761 in 1990.
Other Germany states with relatively high concentrations of Burkhalters include Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Bavaria. In the United States, the states with the most Burkhalters are Illinois, Michigan, Washington, and Ohio.
The majority of the American Burkhalters can be traced back to the middle of the 19th century, when many Germans moved to the United States, seeking a better life. Many of these immigrants settled in industrial hubs like Detroit, Cleveland, and St. Louis (which was then part of Indiana).
Today, many of the last name Burkhalter are descendants of these immigrants, but there are also many modern day Burkhalters living all around the world. If you are interested in more information about the current concentration of people with the last name Burkhalter, the website Ancestry.com has records dating back to the 1800s for the U.S. as well as Europe.
Variations of the surname Burkhalter
The surname Burkhalter is derived from the German name “burkhalter”, which means “keeper of a fort or castle”. It is derived from the old German “burg” meaning “fort” and “halten” meaning “to keep” or “hold”.
The surname can be found in various forms in different countries. Some common variants include Burckhalter, Burkhelle, Burkhalte, and Burkhalder.
The surname is also spelled differently in other languages, such as Dutch, where it is spelled as “Burgwalter” or “Bourgwalt”.
In Switzerland, the surname is written as “Burkhalter” or “Burkhalter” and is also common in Austria and Germany. In the USA, the spelling is slightly changed to “Burkholder” and “Burkhalter”.
The surnames “Burchardt”, “Burchard”, and “Bürger” are derived from the same origins as Burkhalter. They are all forms of the popular Germanic names meaning “fort-keeper” or “castle-keeper”.
The surname is also found in Denmark, where it is spelled “Bjerkholt”. In Norway, it is spelled “Berkel”, while in Sweden it is written as “Burkholt”.
Overall, the surname Burkhalter is quite common in many countries, and its variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin all reflect the same meaning: “keeper of a fort or castle”.
Famous people with the name Burkhalter
- Alexander Burkhalter (guitarist, multi-instrumentalists)
- Alisa Burkhalter (actress, singer, dancer, musician)
- Barbara Ann Burkhalter (actress, singer, songwriter)
- David Burkhalter (poet, novelist, playwright, screenwriter)
- Ernest Burkhalter (philanthropist, businessman)
- George Burkhalter (scientist, medical researcher)
- Jacob Burkhalter (film director, actor, writer)
- Joseph Burkhalter (Surgeon, medical scientist)
- Mark Burkhalter (politician)
- Robert Burkhalter (business consultant, economic strategist)
- Stefan Burkhalter (songwriter, music producer)
- Thomas Burkhalter (well-known businessman)
- William Burkhalter (film producer, actor)