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![Show Contents]() Bretzmann History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Germany
The letters "b" and "p" are pronounced similarly in the German language, and were virtually interchangeable prior to the standardization of spelling in recent centuries. Thus the surname Bretzmann, can appear with either letter, creating both Breitzke and Pritzke. There are several possible origins for the Bretzmann surname. There are two towns named Britz in the Brandenburg region. One is a southern suburb of Berlin, the other, a settlement approximately twenty-five miles northeast of Berlin. Either may have inspired the surname. The surname Bretzmann, can also be patronymic, derived from the father of the original bearer. Bretzmann would then be based upon a short form of the Slavic personal name Pribislaw. Priczlaus and Prinzel were names found in Breslau around 1300, and Preczlaus Kuschmalcz was an episcopal vassal in Silesia in 1404. The surname may also have originated with a nickname, such as "Britsch" which was used to describe a person who was perceived as "bad-tempered" or "irritable." Early Origins of the Bretzmann familyThe surname Bretzmann was first found in Saxony, where the name came from humble beginnings but gained a significant reputation for its contribution to the emerging mediaeval society. It later became more prominent as many branches of the same house acquired distant estates and branches, some in foreign countries, always elevating their social status by their great contributions to society. Jacobus dictus der Britschen lived in Mainz in 1315, as did Jakob zur Britzen in 1338 and Jekeln Peter Britschen in 1356. Hanss Brittsch was a farmer and a weaver in Kempten in 1575. Valtin Pritzman was a resident of Brandenburg in 1597. Early History of the Bretzmann familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bretzmann research. Another 66 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1776 and 1853 are included under the topic Early Bretzmann History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Bretzmann Spelling VariationsSpelling variations of this family name include: Breitkreitz, Britzke, Breitzke, Breitz, Britz, Britzkretz, Breitkreuz, Britzmann, Bretzmann, Brietzke, Britzkow, Pritzke and many more. Early Notables of the Bretzmann familyMore information is included under the topic Early Bretzmann Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Bretzmann familySome of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Johan Peter Pritz, who immigrated to Philadelphia in 1736; Jacob Britz, who was naturalized in Philadelphia 1798; and Christian Britz, who was also naturalized in Pennsylvania in 1805. Francis Pritz settled in Indiana 1852 and Eduard Britzke immigrated to America 1854. Samuel Breitkreutz arrived in New York in 1855.
| Historic Events for the Bretzmann family | + |
Bismarck - Heinz Bretzmann (1921-1941), German Matrose who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 1
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