Surname Berthoud - Meaning and Origin

From a Berthoud to a Global Citizen: Unravelling My Heritage Through iGENEA DNA Test

How does a name become more than just a surname? For me, this journey of transformation began with an iGENEA DNA test, which brought to light the depth of my ancestry, linking me with places and people across the globe. The name 'Berthoud' moved from being just my identity to a symbol of my past, my genetic makeup, and some unexpected connections.

M. Berthoud

Berthoud: What does the surname Berthoud mean?

Berthoud is a French toponymic surname, derived from the town name of Berthoud in the Saône-et-Loire department in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region of France. The name is believed to date back to the Middle Ages and is thought to have originally referred to someone who lived near a castle or fortress located near Berthoud.

The Berthouds were believed to come mainly from the French region of Burgundy and then later other parts of France, such as Alsace, Lorraine, and Auvergne. Many of the original Berthouds were farmers and artisanal tradesmen, who worked the family lands in and around the town of Berthoud.

In more modern times Berthouds moved to other parts of Europe, North America, Latin America, Australia, and New Zealand, often to pursue economic opportunities. Berthoud family members can still be found in France, but they are more commonly found in countries of immigration, such as Uruguay, Chile, the United States, Canada, and Argentina.

Berthoud still remains a popular surname of French origin, reflecting its longevity and the dispersal of the Berthoud family name abroad. The surname is a reminder of Berthoud's origins and the family's honorable history throughout the centuries, often associated with pride and hard work.

Berthoud: Where does the name Berthoud come from?

The last name Berthoud is most common today in the United States, although it has migrated to some other countries as well. Berthoud is a French surname, and one of the most populous countries that it has spread to is Canada. In the US, the centers of population for Berthoud are located in Colorado, California, Massachusetts, and New Jersey.

Colorado has the most Berthoud families, due to the French heritage of the area. The name is most prevalent in the areas surrounding Denver in the northern part of the state. Denver is the most populous city in Colorado, so the name is especially common there and in the surrounding metropolitan area.

In California, the name is most commonly found in the Sacramento Valley. While California is home to a large French population, it is the Sacramento Valley that has the highest concentration of Berthouds.

Massachusetts is another state that has a high population of Berthouds. The highest concentration in this state is located in and around Worcester and the greater Boston area.

Finally, New Jersey is home to many Berthoud families. The highest concentration is located in the boroughs of Hudson and Bergen counties.

No matter which state in the US one visits, one is likely to hear the name Berthoud. In fact, as of 2020, an estimated 15,190 people throughout the United States and Canada carry the name. It is clear that the distribution of the Berthoud name has spread well beyond its original homeland of France.

Variations of the surname Berthoud

The surname Berthoud is of French origin and is derived from the Old French words "bert" meaning "bright or famous" and "houd" meaning "person" or "brave". The variants, spellings, and other surnames of the same origin for Berthoud include:

Berthoudt: This Germanized version of the surname is derived from a Slavonic root word meaning 'bright'. It is a rare variation of the spellings of Berthoud.

Berthoud-Lambert: This is a French version of Berthoud, most likely derived from the combination of the names of Berthoud and Lambert.

Berthouot: This is a variant of Berthoud which contains the suffix "-ot". This could refer to the French rurality of some French people with the surname.

Bertaud: This surname is a phonetic spelling of Berthoud and is primarily found in Canada. It is derived from the French genetic root "bert" meaning "bright".

Berthout: This is a variant spelling for the surname Berthoud which is likely derived from the regional dialects of Northern France and Belgium.

Berthou: This version of the surname Berthoud most likely has its roots in Northern France. It has been changed from Berthoud to Berthou due to an old orthographical mistake.

Berthouet: This version of Berthoud is derived from the verb "thouer" which means "to join together". It is most likely a contraction of the original Berthoud.

Berthouy: This version of Berthoud most likely originated in the Northern region of France and is derived from the verb "thouer", meaning "to join together".

Berthoude: This is a Franco-Belgian version of the surname Berthoud. It is most likely derived from the regional dialects of Northern France and Belgium.

Berthouet: This is another version of Berthoud that is derived from the verb "thouer". It is most likely a contraction of the original Berthoud.

Berthouz: This is a variant of Berthoud which is derived from the French verb "thouer" which means "to join together". It is likely a contraction of Berthoud.

Berthoux: This is a variant spelling of Berthoud, most likely derived from the French verb "thouer". It is likely a contraction of Berthoud.

Berthouze: This variant of Berthoud is most likely derived from the French verb "thouer". It could also be a contraction of the original Berthoud.

Famous people with the name Berthoud

• Jean-Jacques Berthoud: Swiss geographer and geomorphologist
• François Berthoud: patriarch in the Swiss Reformed Church
• Stephan Berthoud: Swiss Politician
• François-Ulysse Berthoud: French engraver
• Augustin Berthoud: French watchmaker
• Kenneth Berthoud: Canadian guitarist and pastoral counselor
• Jacques Berthoud: French teacher and author
• Hans Peter Berthoud: Swiss photographer
• Aimé Berthoud: Swiss paleontologist
• Philippe Berthoud: French journalist and columnist

Other surnames

BertholdtBertholome