Surname Bretzl - Meaning and Origin
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Bretzl: What does the surname Bretzl mean?
The surname Bretzl is of German origin, and is believed to be derived from the Middle High German word bretzl which means “braid” or “plait.” It is likely that the name was a descriptive nickname for someone with braided hair, or describing someone who styled their hair in a complex braided pattern.
Another possible origin for the name is from a dialectal form of the Middle High German word breiten, meaning “to stretch.” This likely refers to someone who was tall and slender with long limbs.
Variations of the surname Bretzl include Bretz, Bretsl, Bretzle, Bretzel, Breitl, Bretzler, Bretzli, Bretzler, Breitler, and Bretzeler. Although the name is of German origin, other countries with long-standing associations with German culture, such as Austria and Switzerland, can also boast of Bretzl lineage.
Currently, the Bretzl surname is most commonly found in the southeastern region of Germany, specifically Bavaria, and Switzerland. It is thought that the earliest examples of the name can be found in Franconia, the region of the Holy Roman Empire encompassing the area of modern-day Bavaria.
Today, the Bretzl name continues to exist across various areas of Europe, as well as the United States and other countries that received German immigrants.
Order DNA origin analysisBretzl: Where does the name Bretzl come from?
The last name Bretzl is most commonly found in parts of Europe, particularly central and eastern Europe. It is a surname that originated in Germany, and is still very popular there today. In Germany, it is most common in the regions of Bavaria and the Rhineland-Palatinate. It is also found in large numbers in Austria, particularly the states of Vienna and Lower Austria. The surname can also be found in small numbers in other parts of Europe, such as Croatia, Hungary, Slovakia, and Romania.
In the United States, Bretzl can be found among German-American and Austrian-American families, particularly in the Midwest and in Pennsylvania. It is also found in parts of Canada and Australia among families that trace their ancestry back to Germany and Austria.
The closest relatives of the Bretzl surname in Europe are the surnames Bretz, Bresz, and Bressl. These surnames have a similar meaning and origin. In medieval times, Bretzl was an occupational name for someone who chopped wood for a living. It is also claimed to be a variant of the name Prusl, which is potentially derived from the old German name 'Prutzel', meaning 'strong one'.
Variations of the surname Bretzl
The surname Bretzl is thought to be of Germanic origin, and variations of the name can be found in several countries in Europe.
In Germany, a common spelling of the surname is Breztl. In Austria, Breztl is also a popular spelling, and other variations can also be seen, such as Breisl, Breztel, Bretz, Brettl, Brezzo, and Brizl. Bayern, a region in Germany, also has a variant of the name that is spelled Breztel.
In Switzerland, the surnames Bresztl and Bretscher have also been recorded. Meanwhile, in Bohemia, the surnames Brezle and Brezl are the most common forms.
In the United States, the surname Bretzl can be found in the form Breitzel. In the United Kingdom, the most common spelling of the surname is Brettel.
In France, the variants of the surname Brezet, Brecel, Brecil, Bretel and Bretille can be found.
The Bretzl surname is also in use in Romania. The most commonly seen variant in Romania is Brezli.
Mention should also be made of Poland, where the surname Bretzl is known as Broztal.
Some of the other surnames of a similar origin, include Breizl, Brzl, Brezt, Bresel, Brezler, Brezlow, Brezle, and Brezelli.
Famous people with the name Bretzl
- Henry Bretzl: A German actor and stage director
- Claudia Bretzl: A former ski jumper
- Paul Bretzl: An Austrian modern pentathlete
- Johann Bretzl: An Austrian chess master
- Daniel Bretzl: A German-born American celebrity chef
- Sabrina Bretzl: A former Austrian luger
- Albert Bretzl: An Austrian mathematician and physicist
- Hubert Bretzl: A German art teacher
- Priscilla Bretzl: An Austrian fashion model
- Josef Bretzl: An Austrian handball player
- Brigitte Bretzl: An Austrian actress
- Ernst Bretzl: An Austrian paleobiologist
- Franz Bretzl: A German freestyle skier
- Armin Bretzl: An Austrian journalist, publisher, and impresario
- Annemarie Bretzl: An Austrian Austrian alpine skier
- Wolfgang Bretzl: A former Austrian Nordic combined skier
- Heiko Bretzl: A German football manager