Surname Bethmann - Meaning and Origin
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Bethmann: What does the surname Bethmann mean?
The last name Bethmann is a German family name derived from the old Germanic personal name Bet, which is thought to mean ‘bright’ or ‘glorious’. This name is thought to have likely originated in parts of Bavaria, Saxony, Berg, and Schleswig-Holstein and is still found in these areas, as well as Austria and Switzerland.
The Bethmann family name is found especially prominently among the pre-modern nobility of Germany. The most famous member of this distinguished family is probably banking investor Simon Moritz von Bethmann, who was one of the successful entrepreneurs who founded the powerful Deutsche Bank in the 19th century.
The Bethmann surname is still a powerful force today in modern politics, as well, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel being related to the Bethmann family. In England, Sir Bahimont Edmund Bethmann is a well-known name in the financial field.
The Bethmann family name has a rich history that is closely linked to the success and fame of the banking industry in Europe. Their prestigious name, which is steeped in centuries of tradition, is a reminder of the important roles that this prominent family has played in German and European history.
Order DNA origin analysisBethmann: Where does the name Bethmann come from?
The last name Bethmann is a German surname and is still common in parts of Germany, particularly in the northern region of Lower Saxony. It is also common in Austria, Switzerland, Northern Italy, and parts of the Czech Republic.
In modern Germany, the name is fairly common in major cities such as Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt, and Munich. Name data from the 2019 Federal Statistical Office of Germany reveals that Bethmann is the 14,219 most commonly used last name.
In Austria, the 2010 population census found that the name is mostly found in the northern state of Lower Austria, where it is the 402nd most common name. In Switzerland, the last name isn’t as popular and comes in as the 2,829th most common name.
In the US, the surname is much rarer. According to the US Census Bureau, only 692 people reported the last name Bethmann in 2000, mostly living in states such as California, New York, Florida, and Ohio.
Overall, the Bethmann name is more common in parts of Europe, particularly in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Variations of the surname Bethmann
The variants, spellings and surnames for Bethmann are Bethman, Bethmannn, Bethmannnn, Bethmanns, Bethmanne, Bethmanner, Betamann, Pethmann, Bettman and Bettmann.
Bethmann is a German family name, derived from the given name "Betho". It is thought to have first emerged in the German state of Thuringia, and is still chiefly found in western Germany today.
The suffix "mann" means "man" or "person". This suffix was commonly used in northern Germany during the middle ages, and would have been added to a person's given name to create an identifying family name.
The similar-sounding surname, Betmann, is also derived from the given name "Betho"; however, the difference in spelling is due to a mixture of local dialect and various attempts to "standardise" spelling.
Bethmann is still widespread in Germany today, with numerous variations in spelling and usage including the surnames Bethman, Bethmannn, Bethmannnn, Bethmanns, Bethmanne, Bethmanner, Betamann, Pethmann, Bettman and Bettmann.
Outside of Germany, many spellings of the surname have been anglicised, particularly in the United States. Variants such as Badman, Beatman, Battman and Bitman are now found in records, although these variants may also be found in Germany.
Famous people with the name Bethmann
- Franz Bethmann (born 1957), German author and director
- Hugo Bethmann (1840-1909), founder of a banking house in Frankfurt
- Christian August Bethmann (1749–1802), German composer
- Horst Bethmann (born 1945), German politician
- Carl Gustav Adolf Bethmann (1822-1901), German historian and politician
- Karl Wilhelm Adolph Bethmann-Hollweg (1884-1936), German politician
- John Jacob Rothfels Bethmann (1833-1900), scientist and politician
- Reinhard Bethmann (1906-1993), German resistance fighter
- Jason Bethmann (born 1985), German handball player
- Julie Bethmann (born 1998), German field hockey player