Surname Bergdoll - Meaning and Origin

Bergdoll: What does the surname Bergdoll mean?

The last name Bergdoll is a German surname that originated in the 12th century. It is believed to be derived from the language of old German, with a literal meaning of “guard of a mountain”. It has also been suggested that it may have been derived from a personal given name Berg or Bergwald, meaning “mountain forest”.

The earliest recorded use of the name can be traced back to a mediaeval knight, whose family was from the Harz Mountains region of Germany. The knight, whose full name was Leopold von Bergdoll, fought in the Battle of Schoenefeld in 1296 against the forces of Duke Luitpold of Bavaria.

Today, the name Bergdoll is most commonly seen in Germany, Austria, and parts of Switzerland. It is used as both a first and last name, with the majority of those carrying the name in the modern-day having in some way descended from the original knight.

The name is often used in connection with a legend of a dragon slayer who is said to have saved a small village from a destructive dragon. The hero then became known as the “Bergdoll”, and the name has since been passed down through the centuries.

In more modern times, the name is also associated with several notable people across a range of disciplines, from art to engineering, and even brewing. It is clear that, from humble beginnings in medieval Germany, the name Bergdoll has made an indelible mark on the story of time.

Bergdoll: Where does the name Bergdoll come from?

The last name Bergdoll is most commonly found in Pennsylvania and Ohio in the United States, as well as in countries of German origin such as Germany and Switzerland. In the United States, it is one of the most common surnames, ranking close to 500 in the top 1000 most common surnames. In Germany, Bergdoll is the 101st most common surname, while in Switzerland it is the 111th most common name.

The American spelling of the name is thought to have stemmed from the German language form, in which Berg translates to "mountain" and Doll possibly translates to "mith". In Pennsylvania, the name is thought to have originated from the German immigrant family living in Berks County’s Blue Mountains.

In recent years, the name has been seen in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, such as Berks County; in growing metropolitan cities like Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Chicago, and in various other places throughout the United States. In Europe, the Bergdoll surname can be found primarily in the regions of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

Without a doubt, the name Bergdoll will continue to be seen in and around regions of German descent for many years to come.

Variations of the surname Bergdoll

Bergdoll is a German surname that comes from the combination of two German words: berg, meaning "mountain," and doll, meaning "valley." The name is thought to have been originally derived from a prominent family living near a mountain valley.

Variants of the surname Bergdoll include Bergdale, Bergdaugh, Bergdolt, Bergdoel, Bergdolle, Bergdooll, Bergdaal, Bergdall, Bergdill, Bergdotl, Bergdol, Bergdocl, Bergdail, and Bergdtol.

The surname can also be spelled numerous ways, such as: Bergdahl, Bergdaal, Bergdahl, Berghdahl, Berghdoll, Burgdoll, Bergdale or Bergdole.

In addition, Bergdoll may be seen spelled with spelling variations such as: Bairgdahl, Baardal, Bardel, Bardoll, Bergdol, Bergdool, and Biergdoll.

The surnames found in other countries may also have slightly different spelling variations, including: Bairgdahl (in Austria), Bergdal (in Norway), Bergeaste (in Denmark), Bergdal (in Scotland), Bergdel (in Sweden), Bergethen (in Germany), Berghdahl (in Norway), Berghdoll (in Germany), Berghdole (in Denmark), Bergthola (in Norway), Burgdahl (in Canada), and Burgdole (in Canada).

Finally, due to immigration many English speaking countries have their own versions of this surname, including: Burgdale, Bergdale, Bergdahl, Betzold, Bergdoll, Berghdahl, Bergthold, Beumel, and Bettzold.

Famous people with the name Bergdoll

• Rudolph Bergdoll: a German businessman in the early 20th century who deserted the German Army when World War I broke out and then fled to the United States to escape retribution for his desertion.
• Matthew Bergdoll: the youngest member of the Vanderbilt family in the 19th century who married a socialite only to be imprisoned for twenty years for killing her.
• Karin Bergdoll: the German-born political activist who, after leaving her family for the United States, became a key advisor to President Franklin Roosevelt during World War II.
• Erik Bergdoll: a Swedish actor who shared the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for his performance in the 1994 film, Swimming with Sharks.
• Paul Bergdoll: an American dentist and politician, serving as an editor of the Florida Medical Journal and a supporter of Florida's Public Health Act in the early 1900s.
• George Bergdoll: an American engineer and inventor, best known as the developer of the self-oiling engine, which revolutionized the automotive industry in the early 20th century.
• David Bergdoll: a New York lawyer and political advisor who served as a speechwriter for the unsuccessful Presidential campaign of Alfred E. Smith in the 1920s.
• Adam Bergdoll: an American musician and composer who performed with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra and penned the musical score for the documentary The Interrupters.

Other surnames

Bergdolt