Surname Bertrand - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'B'
The Emotional DNA Journey with iGENEA: A Deep Dive into the Bertrand Surname and its Legacy
Navigating an emotionally laden journey, receiving the iGENEA's DNA test results led to a profound revelation of the lineage associated with the surname Bertrand. It pushed boundaries of self-perception, offering a deeper understanding of family influences, personal narrative, and the legacy carried forward.
J. Bertrand
read moreBertrand: What does the surname Bertrand mean?
The last name Bertrand originates from a Germanic personal name composed of the elements berht, meaning “bright” and rand, meaning “shield.”
The surname Bertrand has been found in records since the 10th century, in charters of Liège. It was used most often in France. It was first popular in the ancient French province of Normandy before the year 1000 and is especially prominent in Lorraine.
The name was carried to England in the 11th century by the Normans, who brought it with them during the Norman Conquest of 1066. In England, the name was often found in East Anglia in particular. It is also common in Ireland, where it is found in counties Cork, Offaly and Tipperary.
The Bertrand family is found in many countries and is associated with various noble titles. In France, the title of Marquis de la Motte-Bertrand was conferred in 1790.
The Bertrands have made a name for themselves in history, literature, politics, the arts, and many other areas. The most famous members include King Francis II of France, St. Francis de Sales, and the poets François V. Bertrand and Charles Bertrand.
Today, the Bertrand name is a reminder of the family's illustrious past and its proud heritage, and its legacy carries on in the form of many distinct branches of Bertrands throughout the world.
Order DNA origin analysisBertrand: Where does the name Bertrand come from?
The last name Bertrand is a French surname derived from the Germanic personal name Bertram. It is a very common name in France, Canada, Belgium, and also throughout the French speaking world of Europe, as well as Africa. It was also a popular last name among French immigrants to the United States and Canada during the 19th and 20th centuries. Today, the last name Bertrand can be found in many countries around the world. In the United States, it is one of the most common French surnames, ranking as the 505th most popular surname in the country as of the 2000 census. In France, it is the 66th most common surname, with it being particularly popular in the Brittany region. Canada has the second highest population of Bertrand surnames, with over 41,000 people having this surname as of 2017. Bertrand is also found in other European countries such as Germany, Belgium, and Switzerland, as well as other French speaking nations such as Haiti, the Ivory Coast and Benin. Finally, it can be seen in some countries in Asia such as Lebanon.
Variations of the surname Bertrand
The common variants, spellings and surnames for the one-word surname Bertrand are:
Bertrant, Bertrando, Bertran, Bertrande, Bertrandt, Bertorand, Bertyrand, Bertand, Bertrando, Bartrand, Bartrant.
The variants all have a French origin, and the surname is thought to be derived from two Old Germanic elements: berht (meaning "bright") and rand (meaning "rim" or "shield"). Thus, it's likely that this surname began as a nickname implying bright-shield.
The surnames Bertin, Berthier, Berthon, Bertignon, and Bartin are also associated with Bertrand. These surnames are similar to Bertrand in their etymological origin, as their respective prefixes mean “bright” – but it remains uncertain whether these families all have the same direct origin.
Bertin is a slightly altered version of the original name and can be found especially in Brittany, France. Berthier comes from the Germanic element beraht ("fame"), while Berthon is derived from bert ("bright") and dun ("hill").
Bertignon and Bartin are variations of the name; Bertignon is a diminutive of Bertin and is used in Northern Italy, while Bartin is a Dutch form and is found mostly in the Netherlands and Denmark.
Famous people with the name Bertrand
- Arthur Bertrand: French statesman who served in the National Assembly of France from 1945 to 1967 and was the leader of the Radical Party and the UDSR from 1966 to 1967.
- Allison Bertrand: Canadian actress best known for her movie and television roles, including her role in the Canadian comedy series Slings & Arrows.
- Ryan Bertrand: English footballer who plays as a left back for the English Premier League club Southampton and the England national team.
- David Bertrand: French singer-songwriter known for his work with the indie-rock band Moriarty and his solo career.
- Charles Auguste de Bériot: Belgian violinist and composer who is credited for popularizing the technique of the left-hand pizzicato.
- Yves-Joseph de Kerguelen-Trémarec: French naval commander and explorer who made three expeditions to the Indian Ocean in the late 18th century.
- Ida Bertrand: Belgian linguist and professor of Romance Philology at the Free University of Brussels.
- Henri Auguste Bertrand: 19th century Swiss doctor and botanist known for his research on algae.
- Joe Bertrand: American basketball player who played college basketball at the University of Illinois and was chosen in the second round of the 2014 NBA draft.
- Michel Bertrand: Canadian politician from Quebec, who has served as the mayor of Gatineau since 2001.