Surname Bärtschi - Meaning and Origin
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Embracing Bärtschi: A DNA Journey of Family Identity and Heritage
iGENEA DNA test results surprised me, pointing towards unexpected familial roots in northern Europe, perhaps Scandinavia, and the Eastern Mediterranean, thus providing a new perspective on my surname, Bärtschi, and my family identity.
R. Bärtschi
read moreBärtschi: What does the surname Bärtschi mean?
The last name Bärtschi is of Swiss-German origin. It is an occupational name for someone who lived near or worked in a forest, derived from the Middle High German barts ("forest"). It is likely that the Bärtschi family were foresters.
The surname is most prevalent in the German-speaking regions of Switzerland, particularly in Oberaargau, and is also found in some parts of Austria and the United States. The spelling of the name appears to have developed over time, as variations of the name include Bartschi, Bartzsch, Bartscher, Bärtzsch, Bärtzscher, and Bärtschi.
When researching the origin of the surname, one finds that the Bärtschi family likely dates back to the 13th century, as one of the earliest known recordings of the name is in documents from 1275. From then until the present day, the Bärtschi family has served an invaluable role in the Swiss-German region, from bringing in timber to fuel their communities, to contributing to the military, and even helping to shape society.
Today, the Bärtschi surname is found throughout the world and those who bear the name continue to honor its history, some tracing their roots back to the 13th century, and others using it as a reminder to support their communities and the environment. The legacy of the Bärtschi family continues to this day.
Order DNA origin analysisBärtschi: Where does the name Bärtschi come from?
The last name Bärtschi originates from the region of Switzerland known as Grisons, which is home to the largest dialect group of Swiss German. It is most commonly found in Switzerland today, but can also be found in small numbers in Germany, Austria and other German-speaking countries. As of 2018, those with the last name "Bärtschi" make up 0.003% of the population of Switzerland, making it quite a rare surname.
Within Switzerland, Bärtschi is particularly concentrated in the Graubünden (Grisons) area, with the majority living in the southern canton where the clan originally came from centuries ago. This region is often referred to as the traditional homeland of the Bärtschi family.
Today, Bärtschi is also quite common in the United States, particularly the Midwest and parts of the East Coast. This is due to migration from European countries by various members of the Bärtschi family, which began in the late 1800s.
The Bärtschi family also holds a Coat of Arms, which is a rarity for a Swiss family of only a few hundred. This symbol of nobility is designed to remind the clan of their shared heritage and to invoke a sense of pride in their unique heritage.
Though the Bärtschi surname is not as widely dispersed as some European surnames, it remains an integral part of Swiss society and is still found in pockets around the world as a reflection of its heritage and place of origin.
Variations of the surname Bärtschi
The surname Bärtschi is an occupational surname derived from Middle High German ‘bortzen’, meaning ‘to chop or split’. This name was most likely given to an individual who worked as a woodcutter or carpenter.
The surname is pronounced as ‘baair-chi’ and has a number of variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include Bartsche, Bartscher, Bartschermann, Bärtz, Bartze, Bartsch, Bärtschen, Bärtschi, Baerz, Bertz, Bretz, Bircher, Birz, and Bürz.
In some parts of Central Europe, Bärtschi and its variants are also spelled as Bärchli and Bärchi. Similarly, in Switzerland the spelling is oftenseen as Bärchel or Bärchi.
More modern versions created by combination of the original name include Bärtzli, Bärtschinger, Bärtzinger, Bartschermann, Bartschmann, Bärtzmann.
In addition to the Swiss spelling, Bärtschi surnames can also be found in Austria and Germany, as well as in areas of the United States, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand that were settled by Swiss immigrants.
In its original form, the surname Bärtschi is known to have existed in some form as early as the 13th century.
As with many surnames, Bärtschi and its variants can be used both as a given name and a surname. Given its long history, many different spellings and surnames of the same origin now exist.
Famous people with the name Bärtschi
- Benjamin Bärtschi, Swiss professional ice hockey player
- Yannick Bärtschi, Swiss professional ice hockey player
- Daniel Bärtschi, Swiss professional ice hockey player
- Philip Bärtschi, Swiss composer and conductor
- Raphaël Bärtschi, Swiss racing driver
- Christoph Bärtschi, Swiss professional footballer
- Pierre Bärtschi, Swiss professional footballer
- Christian Bärtschi, Swiss inorganic chemist and materials scientist
- Edwin Bärtschi, Swiss middle-distance runner
- Elodie Bärtschi, Swiss professional hockey player