Surname Bretzlaff - Meaning and Origin
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Bretzlaff: What does the surname Bretzlaff mean?
The last name Bretzlaff is a German and Polish surname of Jewish origin. It is derived from the Hebrew word "bretsl"[ בּרֶצְל ], meaning "to hasten, to speed". It is believed that the surname was used to designate someone who was quick and efficient in his work or studies.
In German, the surname is a form of the given name Bertz. The name developed from the old Germanic given name Berhtz, meaning "bright" or "shining". Upon adoption by Jewish people at some point after the Protestant Reformation, the surname efficiently gained a Hebrew-sounding phoneme.
Bretzlaff is fairly common as a surname in German-speaking countries. In Poland, however, where it is usually spelled Bryzlew, the surname is much less common and is hopeful to come across only a few times in any genealogical records.
The Bretzlaff surname is still quite common in Germany, with around 350 people sharing the name in 2018. Meanwhile, in the United States, the surname popped up significantly in the 1990s and there are now 1,500 people yearning the name.
Order DNA origin analysisBretzlaff: Where does the name Bretzlaff come from?
Today, the surname Bretzlaff is most commonly found in the German-speaking regions of Europe, particularly in areas along the border between Germany and Austria. It is thought to have originated in Bavaria, with documents first mentioning the name in 1732.
The name is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, indicating that the surname was spread throughout the German-speaking world in the 1700s. Its prevalence is likely due to the large number of emigrants who left the German-speaking regions at that time.
Bretzlaff is also found in the United States. There is a higher concentration of the surname along the East Coast, particularly in Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio. This suggests that the surname spread through the wave of German immigrants who settled in America during the mid-1800s.
Furthermore, Bretzlaff can also be found in some parts of Canada, particularly in Alberta. This corroborates the pattern of the surname spreading through the emigration of German-speaking people to North America.
In conclusion, the last name Bretzlaff is primarily found in the German-speaking regions of Europe and in the areas of the United States and Canada where German immigrants settled. Its prevalence is likely due to the large number of emigrants who left the German-speaking regions in the 1700s and 1800s.
Variations of the surname Bretzlaff
The surname Bretzlaff is of German origin and is derived from the Old High German words ‘brehtz’ meaning ‘brave’ and ‘laf’ meaning ‘law’, referring to someone who follows the laws and regulations. Variants of the surname include Brechtlauf, Breitschlauf, Bretlauf, Bretschlauf, Bretzlaub, Brezlaff, Bretzler, Bretslaub, Bretzle, Bretslaube, Bretzloff, Bretsloeff, and Bretzlowe.
German surname spellings alter depending on the language spelling and regions. Common spelling variations of Bretzlaff include Brezloff, Bretslaube, and Bretzeloff. The surname is also connected to surnames such as Bray, Brae, Breece, Brees, Brickel, Brickles, and Broyles.
The surname Bretzlaff is prominent in the Rhineland region of Germany, with many variations appearing in the Bavaria region as well. The surname is spread throughout various countries in Europe, including Poland, Austria, and France. Additionally, immigrants from these countries and surrounding areas brought the surname to the United States and Canada.
The anglicized versions of the name often adopted spelling variations such as Bratzlaw, Braetzlaw, and Brayzlaw to adapt to the English language. Other anglicized names include Bretzag, Breshic, Bretelow, Bretzler, Bridehouse, and even Bradshaw. Given the range of variations in spelling, be sure to search for all forms and variations of the Bretzlaff surname when researching family history.
Famous people with the name Bretzlaff
- Emma Bretzlaff: At only 14 years old Emma is a budding international chess master. She has earned numerous titles across Europe for her skill as a player.
- Frank Bretzlaff: A well-known theater director and performer in Germany, he won the Max Reinhardt Handwerk award in 2018 for his stage direction in a renowned production.
- Gabriela Bretzlaff: A Swiss businesswoman, she is the founder of an Alpine trekking tour company and has been featured in Forbes Switzerland's list of 20 top female entrepreneurs.
- Hanne Bretzlaff: A German children’s book author, she has published many award-winning books and her latest one, Am Aschermittwoch, was made into a feature film released in 2019.
- Jace Bretzlaff: One of the youngest NHL hockey players, he joined the New York Islanders at the age of 16 and has made a name for himself as an offensively skilled goal-scorer.
- Lukas Bretzlaff: A stuntman and actor, he performed in numerous action films and television shows, including the locally acclaimed German TV series, GSG 9.
- Paul Bretzlaff: A music producer and multi-instrumentalist, he has produced several pop albums in Europe that have reached the top of the music charts.
- Udo Bretzlaff: A prominent German architect, he is best known for his sustainable modern design projects composed of bright colors and black steel frames, having produced works seen around the world.