Show ContentsBecktel Surname History

The colorful history of Germany provides a glimpse at the oldest origins of the Becktel family. The name Becktel, which is a local surname, reveals that the original bearer of the name once lived, held land, or was born in this beautiful region. In the Holy Roman Empire, hereditary surnames were adopted according to fairly general rules and after the 12th century, names that were derived from localities became increasingly widespread. Local names originally denoted the proprietorship of the village or estate. When coupled with the German preposition von, which means from or of, local names can indicate that the bearer of the name was an aristocrat. However, in modern times, the von is frequently dropped from the surname.

Early Origins of the Becktel family

The surname Becktel was first found in Schwarzburg-Sondershausen, where the name Buchthal was closely identified in early mediaeval times with the feudal society of early European history. The name would later emerge as a noble family with great influence, having many distinguished branches, and become noted for its involvement in social, economic and political affairs.

Early History of the Becktel family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Becktel research. Another 70 words (5 lines of text) covering the year 1835 is included under the topic Early Becktel History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Becktel Spelling Variations

In the medieval era, many different cultural groups lived in the German states. There are thus many regional variations of German surnames from that era. Westphalians spoke Low German, which is similar to modern Dutch. Many German names carry suffixes that identify where they came from. Others have phrases attached that identify something about the original bearer. Other variations in German names resulted from the fact that medieval scribes worked without the aid of any spelling rules. The spelling variations of the name Becktel include Buchthal, Buchthall, Buchthale, Buchtel, Buchtell, Buchtele, Buchthalle, Buchtal, Buchtall, Buchtalle, Buckthal, Buckthale, Buckthall, Buckthalle, Bukkthal, Bukkthale, Bukkthall, Bukkthalle, Beuchthal, Beuchthale, Beuchthall, Beuchthalle, Beuckthal, Beuckthale, Beuckthall, Beuckthalle, Beukkthal, Beukkthale, Beukkthall, Beukkthalle, Buechthal, Buechthall, Buechthale, Buechtel, Buechtell, Buechtele, Bochtel, Buckthal, Buchtel, Becktell, Bechtel, Bechtele, Bechtell and many more.

Early Notables of the Becktel family

More information is included under the topic Early Becktel Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Becktel migration to the United States +

Research into various historical records has revealed some of first members of the Becktel family to immigrate North America:

Becktel Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Burkhard Becktel who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1764
  • Burkhard Becktel, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1764 1
Becktel Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Saphira Becktel, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1833 1
  • Saphira Becktel who was recorded at Allegheny County in 1833


  1. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)


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