Surname von Bredow - Meaning and Origin

von Bredow: What does the surname von Bredow mean?

The last name von Bredow is German in origin, with the prefix 'von' indicating nobility and/or estate ownership. This noble noble last name is most notably found in Brandenburg, Germany.

The literal translation of von Bredow is "of the meadows," suggesting that the original holders of the surname were lords of the meadows. It is possible that this area of Brandenburg was considered an idyllic estate and was referred to as "The Meadows" by the locals.

The von Bredows of Brandenburg were an important family, with many of the earliest recorded von Bredows holding posts as civil servants in the local state government. The family also played a critical role in Prussian military campaigns, supplying both officers and enlisted personnel.

The von Bredows historically operated under the banner of a system of hereditary noble ranking. This ancient order was officially abolished in 1848, but the many members of the family continue to maintain their sense of history and traditions, still proud of their von Bredow ancestry.

von Bredow: Where does the name von Bredow come from?

The last name von Bredow is predominantly found in Germany today. It is a noble name and is associated mostly with members of the German nobility or those with a noble title. The word ‘von’, German for ‘of’, is a common component of German noble names. Its use is often to denote a location; for example “von Bredow” roughly translates to “of Bredow,” meaning a noble person who descends from Bredow, a German manor or estate.

The title von Bredow and its variants can be found in a variety of locations around Germany, particularly the North East. It is most common in Brandenburg, Mecklenburg in Vorpommern, Saxony, and in Oldenburg. The name has also spread to other countries such as the United States, Australia, and Canada. However, von Bredows are still predominantly found in Germany, particularly among those of nobility and those descended from German nobility.

Von Bredow is derived from the family of Bredow, a manor which was owned by noble families by the same name and dates back for centuries. Traditionally, the name von Bredow was reserved for those with a noble title, but this is no longer the case. Today, the name is no longer associated with nobility, and anyone can bear the name. Although it is most commonly found in Germany, it can be found in other countries too, particularly in those with a German heritage.

Variations of the surname von Bredow

Von Bredow is a surname of German origin. It is an occupational or locational family name derived from the Old German words "brenn" meaning "to burn", and "dorf" meaning "village", so it is sometimes translated to "burner of the village" or "of the burned village".

Variants of this surname include the German spelling von Brede and the Dutch spelling van Breda or van Breden. All of these variation refer to the same origin of the surname.

The surnames of similar origin or meaning include Brenndorf, Burnschow, Brendemeyer, Burnsoff, Brenndorfer, Bronder, Brendel, Brennhofer and Branndorff. On the other hand, surnames with the meaning or origin of "the burning forest" include Brunswald, Brunswahl, Brunsfeld, Brummel, Bramsfeld, Barmswald and Bremsel.

As the von Bredow surname is only found in Germany, some spellings have evolved over time according to the spelling conventions of other countries. These include the German variant Bredow, the Dutch variants Breedveld, Bredveld and Breedhoven, the French variants de Brea and de Breaume, and the Scandinavian variant Breide.

The surnames of the same origin, which were adopted after migrations from other countries, can now also be found in other countries, including the United States. Immigration changed their original spelling in order to adapt to the customs of the country. For example, Bredow changed to Breedlove and Bramsfeld changed to Bremster.

Famous people with the name von Bredow

• Ulla von Bredow-Werndl: an Olympic equestrianist from Germany.
• Ulrike von Bredow: a German theater academic and theatrical director.
• Viktoria von Bredow: a German actress.
• Gunther von Bredow: a German television and film actor.
• Friedrich von Bredow: a German merchant and businessman.
• Peter von Bredow: a German sculptor.
• Rudolf von Bredow: a German writer and journalist.
• Carl von Bredow: a German general and senior staff officer in World War II.
• Karl von Bredow: a German archaeologist and historian.
• Walter von Bredow: a German officer who served in World War II.
• Paul von Bredow: a German author, director, and playwright.
• Holger von Bredow: a German composer, conductor, and educator.
• Kurt von Bredow: a German physicist and professor of experimental and applied physics.
• Ludwig von Bredow: a German politician and diplomat.
• Reinhard von Bredow: a German jurist who was a professor of criminal and international law.
• Christine von Bredow: a German abstract artist.
• Peter-Christian von Bredow: a German musicologist and professor of musicology.
• Abel von Bredow: a German professor of electrical engineering.
• Philip von Bredow: a German historian and archivist.
• Hans Otto von Bredow: a German general and Chief of Staff of the Wehrmacht.

Other surnames

Von Breuner