Surname Bechhold - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'B'
Bechhold: What does the surname Bechhold mean?
The origin and meaning of the last name Bechhold is not definitively known; however, several theories exist.
One of the more prominent theories is that the name is derived from Old High German and means ‘maker of bee hives’, suggesting that the original Bechholds were beekeepers. This origin is particularly likely given the geographic proximity of Bavaria to many other beekeeping regions in Europe.
Another theory proposes that the name is derived from Old German words meaning ‘beech holder' or 'he who lives among beeches’. This hypothesis is bolstered by the fact that beech trees are found in many parts of Europe, including Germany where many Bechholds live.
Finally, it has been proposed that the last name Bechhold is derived from the Yiddish word ‘barschozl’, which was used to refer to a seller of bolts of cloth. Given that many Jews in Europe settled in Bavaria, this origin is certainly possible.
In conclusion, the origin and meaning of the last name Bechhold is unclear, though several theories have been proposed. Whatever its true origin may be, it is clear that the Bechhold family has a long and proud history stretching back centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisBechhold: Where does the name Bechhold come from?
The surname Bechhold is believed to have originated in Germany and is most commonly found today in the United States, Canada, and Germany. In the United States, the highest concentration of the surname can be found in Pennsylvania and Texas.
Within Germany, the surname is most commonly found in the southeastern region around Bavaria and Berlin especially. Additionally, the surname appears in record books as far back as the 1400s in Iregenwort, Germany, which would suggest that the German concentration of the surname is set in that area.
In the United States, the surname can be found in all the major major metropolitan cities in areas populated by more recent immigrants from Germany or their descendants. Pennsylvania has a large percentage of Germans and is a major reason why a good portion of the Bechhold family live in that state to this day.
As immigration has become more widespread throughout Europe and North America, the surname Bechhold can also now be found in other countries like France, the United Kingdom, and Australia as a result. All of these populations have seen growth in their numbers over the last few decades.
In conclusion, the surname Bechhold is most commonly found today in the United States, Germany, and Canada, although it can be found in other countries as a result of immigration and population growth.
Variations of the surname Bechhold
The surname Bechhold can have several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include but are not limited to Bechtold, Beckhold, Bachtold, Becheld, Beckeld, Bekhold, and Bechhöld. This is a German surname derived from the Middle High German word ‘bekhold’ meaning ‘watchtower’. It was given to a person who lived near such a tower or who worked as a watchman in the tower.
The German spelling of the name, Bechhold or Bechtold, can also be Anglisized, such as Beckeld and Beckhold. The Anglicized versions of Bechhold have been found in England, Scotland, and Wales.
The surname Bechhold also has a few variations. These include variants such as Bechholm, Beckholm, and Bekholm, as well as Becchholz and Beckholz. These variations likely originated from a combination of the German word ‘holz’ meaning ‘wood’ and ‘becheled’ meaning a ‘tower’.
The Anglicized versions of Bechhold and Beckhold are found in the United States and Canada, with Becheld and Beckeld being more common in Quebec.
In conclusion, the surname Bechhold has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Bechtold, Beckhold, Bachtold, Becheld, Beckeld, Bekhold, Bechhöld, Bechholm, Beckholm, Bekholm,Becchholz, and Beckholz. It is a German surname derived from the Middle High German word ‘bekhold’ meaning ‘watchtower’ and can be found in both Germany and the English speaking world.
Famous people with the name Bechhold
- Robert Bechhold (1904–1990), German-American painter
- John Bechhold (1909–1996), American football player
- Berthold von Bechhold (1841–1918), German art historian
- Herbert Bechhold (1875–1941), German lawyer and politician
- Suzanne Bechhold (1913–1998), American banker and philanthropist
- Gretchen Bechhold (1916–2004), American poet
- Joseph Bechhold (1848–1935), German astronomer
- Ferdinand Bechhold (1812–1881), Czech priest
- Heinrich Bechhöld (1768-1843), German lawyer and politician
- Hans Bechhold (1863–1937), Polish-German geologist