Surname Brodte - Meaning and Origin
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Brodte: What does the surname Brodte mean?
The last name Brodte is of German origin and is derived from the personal name "Brud". The name "Brud" is believed to have come from the Proto-Germanic word "brud" meaning famous and renowned.
It is likely that the original bearers of the name may have been members of an acknowledged or powerful family that had achieved some level of distinction that was known within their local community. The name Brodte may also be a diminutive of the Eastern European name Brod.
Throughout history, the last name Brodte has been associated with several shamefully recorded events in European history. In medieval Germany, members of the Brodte family were engaged in several royal court cases against members of rival families. In addition, there are accounts of members of the family involved in long-standing feuds and that ultimately led to dangerous and even deadly altercations.
Today, the Brodte family is generally seen as a large and prosperous family. Many members have gone on to achieve success in law, business, the sciences, and other professional fields.
Although the etymology of the name has been disputed over the centuries, the legacy of those who have held the name Brodte remains renowned and respected among those of German descent. This noble family name still holds an esteemed place in German culture and can be used to trace the origin of those who are descended from its earliest members.
Order DNA origin analysisBrodte: Where does the name Brodte come from?
The last name Brodte is most commonly found in Germany and Austria. It is believed to be of Germanic origin, stemming from an old word for "Badger". The first occurrence of the name appeared in records of families living in Prussia and Silesia in the early 1500s.
In modern times, the last name Brodte is still present across the German-speaking world. It is predominantly found throughout Germany and Austria, with smaller numbers in Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and other German-speaking communities.
In the United States, the surname has been present since at least the mid-1800s. It is most commonly found in the Midwestern and Western regions, having been brought over by German immigrants. Today, the most populous states with the Brodte name are Michigan, Illinois, and Minnesota, with smaller numbers in Wisconsin, Ohio, and Texas.
Outside of the U.S., the last name is still widespread and, historically, is thought to have been mostly limited to the German and Austrian regions. Within these areas, today it is one of the more common surnames. The frequency of its use is likely due to its long history within the region and attractive sound when spoken.
Variations of the surname Brodte
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Brodte include Brödt, Brödte, Brödter, Breodte, Brett, Broodte, Brodder, Broeder, Broedter, Broedte, Broedder, Broahdte, Brandte, and Brode.
The surname Brodte is of German origin. It is derived from the German word 'Bröt', which refers to the brown bread usually produced from whole grains. Those with the surname have their roots in an ancestral profession of a baker, or as a tenant of property owned by a mill.
The surname Brodte is prevalent primarily in Germany. It is common throughout the many states in the country, especially in Bavaria, and also in the neighboring countries of Austria, Switzerland and the Netherlands. It can also be found in some areas of the United States and Canada, but it is much less common there.
In the northern German dialect, the letter 'd' is often used in place of 't' to form the surnames. For instance, Bret and Brodder are derived from the form of Brödte, and the latter is now a fairly common variant in Germany. It is also spelled Bröder, Broeder, and Brande in some cases.
In some cases, the 'dh' sound in German has been replaced with an 'h' sound in various places, leading to the surnames of Bröht, Broahdte, and Broahdt. Similarly in the Netherlands, the letter 'd' is often replaced with the letter 't', resulting in the surname Broet, which is fairly common in the Netherlands and Belgium.
In some families, the surname has been changed to Brose, due to the German pronunciation of the 't' consonant in the name. This is also prevalent in the Netherlands and Belgium.
There are a few families who have adapted the surname to Brodt or Brett. This has been done mainly in order to Americanize the surname for people who lived in the United States.
Famous people with the name Brodte
- Ted Brodte–American professional basketball player
- August Brodte–German industrialist and entrepreneur
- Peaches Brodte–Australian singer-songwriter and producer
- Konrad Brodte–German jurist
- Wolfgang Brodte–German composer and music writer
- Robert Brodte–American record producer and sound engineer
- Stephen Brodte–Australian chef and restaurateur
- Cara Brodte–Canadian television writer and producer
- Frederic Brodte–German painter
- Ashley Brodte–American model and businesswoman