Surname Bechtl - Meaning and Origin
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Bechtl: What does the surname Bechtl mean?
The last name Bechtl is of German origin and roughly translates to mean “raftman” or “ferryman.” Early records of the surname date back to the 1400s, and there are several variations including Becktel, Bechtel, Becdel, and Becht.
The first Bechtls are thought to have sailed down the Rhine River as part of a guild of ferrymen, so they likely provided an important service throughout the region for many years. As the guild became more popular, members branched off to form their own families in different parts of Germany.
In records from the 1600s and 1700s, the Bechtl family can be found scattered throughout Bavaria, Prussia, Saxony, and Silesia. During this period, they often worked as merchants, river pilots, and ferrymen as their ancestors had. They also likely taught their skills to other families, as the surname is now found in many different countries.
The Bechtl family has a long and rich history in Germany and its members have likely had a lasting influence on its culture and landscape. Their name is a testament to the legacy of their ancestors, who likely provided a vital service to many people in the Middle Ages.
Order DNA origin analysisBechtl: Where does the name Bechtl come from?
The last name Bechtl is thought to originate from the region of Bavaria, Germany, and is most commonly found in that region to this day. It is also associated with the city of Memmelsdorf in Germany, which was the birthplace of many of the earliest known Bechtl's.
Outside of Germany, this surname is still relatively uncommon, but can be found in other parts of Europe in countries such as Austria, Switzerland, France and, to a lesser extent, the Netherlands.
In the English-speaking world, the last name Bechtl has not yet spread far, but it can be found in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and South Africa as a result of emigration from Germany during the twentieth century and more recently in the twenty-first century.
The meaning of the Bechtl surname is "loaf-maker" or "baker" and it is believed to have derived from a Germanic word meaning "pitchfork". The earliest mention of the name in Europe dates back to the 1500s.
The Bechtl family name is thought to be relatively rare, but many Bechtl families have stayed connected and related to each other over the generations, contributing to the predominance of the last name in the Bavarian region of Germany. Today, the rare last name Bechtl is still found mostly in Bavaria but can also be found in other parts of Europe and the world thanks to emigration.
Variations of the surname Bechtl
The surname Bechtl is a variation of the surnames Bechtel/Bechtle/Bechtell. Bechtel itself is a German and Jewish (Ashkenazic) occupational surname meaning “metalworker” from the Middle High German word “bectel” meaning “hammer” or “606over”.
Variations of the surname are spelled in several different ways including Bachtel, Becktel, Bectel, Bechtell, Bechtl, Bechtle, Bechell, Bechet, Bechtal, Bechtel and Beckel.
There are other variants of Bechtel that are a result of multiple languages. These variants include Anker, Behter, Bekhter, Bekhtel, Pechel, Biechil, Bürklein, Böck and Bíčel.
Surnames of a similar origin to Bechtel include Bauchle, Buechel, Botha, Boucek, Bouska, Vohs, Fuchs and Fusek.
Bechtl is a particular variation of Bechtel that is common in Austria, Germany, and the Netherlands. It was adopted as a surname by various people from the 16th century onward, though it is not clear how widespread it is.
Bechtl is most commonly found as a spelling variant of Bechtel, suggesting that the original spelling may have been used interchangeably with this variant. It is also possible that Bechtl may have been used as a phonetic variant of the original surname, as is often the case with surnames that have a great deal of regional variation.
Famous people with the name Bechtl
- Jeff Bechtl: American politician, member of the Maryland House of Delegates since 2015.
- John Bechtl: American football coach, formerly a linebacker coach for the St. Louis Rams.
- Rebecca Bechtl: German swimmer, competed in the 2016 Summer Olympics.
- Peter Bechtl: Austrian ice hockey player, played for several European teams.
- Joseph Bechtl: German film and television actor, best known for his roles in "Der Bergdoktor" and "Die Blumenfrau".
- Alois Bechtl: Austrian sculptor, known for his works in bronze, marble, and steel.
- Laura Bechtl: US-based artist specializing in drawing and painting.
- Bernd Bechtl: Inventor of several medical instruments, including the Bechtl needle valve.
- Eugen Bechtl: German music composer, best known for his choral compositions.
- Ken Bechtl: Professional football player and coach in the United States.