Surname Bechtel - Meaning and Origin

Emotion-filled Encounter with My Legacy: Charting the iGENEA DNA Testing Journey

Journeying through the iGENEA DNA testing experience was enthralling as it uncovered satiating truths about my lineage and shaped my perception of myself, my family, and my surname Bechtel. The emotion-filled revelations fostered a newfound respect for my background and added a dimension to my personal identity.

I. Bechtel

Bechtel: What does the surname Bechtel mean?

The surname Bechtel is of German origin and is predominantly found in southwestern Germany. It is derived from the personal name "Bertold", which is composed of two Old High German elements: "beraht", meaning "bright" or "famous", and "waltan", meaning "rule". So, the name Bechtel essentially means "bright ruler".

The spelling of the surname has several variations including Bechtol, Bechtold, Bechtoldt, and Bachtel, due to the Church and government's lack of standardized spelling in early centuries.

The Bechtel name became well known internationally through the Bechtel Corporation, a U.S. engineering company founded by Warren A. Bechtel, which grew to be the largest construction company in the U.S. It has been involved in numerous large-scale projects around the world, enhancing its recognition globally. This prominent family was of Swiss-German descent, further supporting the German origins of the surname.

Bechtel: Where does the name Bechtel come from?

The surname Bechtel is of German origin and it is derived from the given name "Berthold". The first record of the name dates back to the Middle Ages in Southern Germany. The name means "bright ruler" and was brought to the United States by German immigrants in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Today, the Bechtel surname is relatively common in the United States, particularly in states with high German-American populations such as Pennsylvania. It also retains a strong presence in Germany. A notable bearer of this surname is the Bechtel family who founded the Bechtel Corporation, one of the largest construction and civil engineering companies in the United States.

Variations of the surname Bechtel

The surname Bechtel is of Germanic origin and has several variants, renditions, and associated surnames owing to regional differences, historical misspellings, and pronunciation. Some of the most common variants of Bechtel include Bechtle, Bechthold, Bechtold, Bechtoldt and Bechtolt. It’s also not uncommon to see the surname rendered as Bechdel or even Becktel.

Due to the heritage of the surname, it also shares its origin with other Germanic names with similar roots and themes, notably the root "Berht," meaning bright or famous. So associated surnames of a common origin might include Berchtold, Berthold, or Behrend.

Interestingly, the surname Bechtel often has a "von" or "van" added in some regions, typically indicating nobility or land ownership in German and Dutch cultures, respectively.

In terms of pronunciation, variation can result in transliterated spellings under different languages, including Becetel, Bektel, Baechtel, or Beçhtel.

Furthermore, due to data errors, scribal errors, or typos, Bechtel can often be found in records as Behtel, Behtle, Bechel, or Beectel among others. This is of significance when conducting genealogical research or tracing family history.

Famous people with the name Bechtel

• Stephen Bechtel Sr.: An entrepreneur and engineer, he was the president of the Bechtel Corporation, one of the largest construction and civil engineering companies in the world.
• Stephen Bechtel Jr.: Following his father's footsteps, he also served as president of the Bechtel Corporation, significantly expanding the company's global reach.
• Warren Bechtel: The founder of the Bechtel Corporation, he started the business as a small railroad construction operation in the early 1900s.
• Riley P. Bechtel: He served as the chairman and CEO of the Bechtel Corporation, maintaining the family's multi-generational involvement in the company.
• Stephen D. Bechtel III (Steve Bechtel): He is a businessman and philanthropist, involved with the Bechtel family business, and also serving as a chairman of Fremont Group, a private investment company.
• George D. Bechtel: He was a brewer and malster, who established George Bechtel's Brewing Company in New York in the mid-19th century.
• Elizabeth Hogan Bechtel: A notable philanthropist, she is the wife of Stephen D. Bechtel Jr. and has been involved in many family philanthropic projects.
• Kenneth K. Bechtel: A businessman involved in the family-run Bechtel Corporation, he also served as president for the Order of the Arrow, Boy Scouts of America.
• Peter Bechtel: An accomplished athlete, he won a silver medal in fencing at the 1904 Summer Olympics.
• Laura Bechtel: A notable equestrian, she represented the USA in 3-day eventing at the World Equestrian Games in 2014.

Other surnames

BechtBechteBechtelerBechterBechtholdBechtholdtBechtlBechtleBechtlerBechtloffBechtluftBechtoldBechtoldtBechtolf