BERTRAM Origin of surname
BERTRAM
Surnames derive from one of many different origins. Sometimes there may be more than one explanation for the same name. Bertram derives from a Germanic personal name combining the words for "bright/famous" and "raven". As a Jewish surname it is a patronymic, derived from a male ancestor's personal name, in this case of biblical origin. Many Jewish family names are derived from animals mentioned in the Bible. One of them, which has produced numerous variants, is Baer, the German for "bear", translated from the Hebrew Dov. Ber, which means "bear" in Yiddish, can stand alone or have derivative forms like Berl, Berko. It also gave rise to family names like Berlin and Berkowitz.
As an Ashkenazi name, it could also have been taken from one of the house-signs that were familiar sights in German towns, particularly Frankfurt am Main, in the Middle Ages, for instance 'Zum Goldenen Baeren' ("to the Golden Bear"). The Jewish surname Baer is documented in the city since the early 16th century. Its closest biblical association is traced to Issachar (Genesis 49.14), whom Jacob compares to a large-boned ass, a symbol of hard work and strength. Because 'donkey' was a derisive term in Europe, the Jews living there replaced it with another animal embodying great strength and endurance, the bear, whose old German name is linked to 'man, hero and prince'.
Distinguished 20th century bearers of Jewish family name Bertram include the German pianist Gorg Bertram.
Surnames derive from one of many different origins. Sometimes there may be more than one explanation for the same name. Bertram derives from a Germanic personal name combining the words for "bright/famous" and "raven". As a Jewish surname it is a patronymic, derived from a male ancestor's personal name, in this case of biblical origin. Many Jewish family names are derived from animals mentioned in the Bible. One of them, which has produced numerous variants, is Baer, the German for "bear", translated from the Hebrew Dov. Ber, which means "bear" in Yiddish, can stand alone or have derivative forms like Berl, Berko. It also gave rise to family names like Berlin and Berkowitz.
As an Ashkenazi name, it could also have been taken from one of the house-signs that were familiar sights in German towns, particularly Frankfurt am Main, in the Middle Ages, for instance 'Zum Goldenen Baeren' ("to the Golden Bear"). The Jewish surname Baer is documented in the city since the early 16th century. Its closest biblical association is traced to Issachar (Genesis 49.14), whom Jacob compares to a large-boned ass, a symbol of hard work and strength. Because 'donkey' was a derisive term in Europe, the Jews living there replaced it with another animal embodying great strength and endurance, the bear, whose old German name is linked to 'man, hero and prince'.
Distinguished 20th century bearers of Jewish family name Bertram include the German pianist Gorg Bertram.