Breitbeck History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

Etymology of Breitbeck

What does the name Breitbeck mean?

The ancient German region of the Rhineland was the original home of the name Breitbeck. Breitbeck was a local name, a type of hereditary surname that identified people by the places where they lived. Landowners were the first to use local names, often attaching the prefix "von", meaning "of" or "from", in some cases as a mark of aristocratic birth. Local names are by far the most common style of German hereditary surname. Breitbeck was a name for someone who lived near a wide brook or body of water. Breitbeck is a topographic surname, a type of name given to a person who resided near a physical feature such as a hill, stream, church, or type of tree.

Early Origins of the Breitbeck family

The surname Breitbeck was first found in the Rhineland, where the name Breidbach became noted for its many branches with the region, with each house acquiring a status and influence which was envied by the princes of the region. Over time, the family became a power unto themselves and were elevated to the ranks of nobility.

Early History of the Breitbeck family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Breitbeck research. Another 107 words (8 lines of text) covering the year 1690 is included under the topic Early Breitbeck History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Breitbeck Spelling Variations

One can encounter great variation in the spelling of surnames: in early times, spelling in general, and thus the spelling of names was not yet standardized; and later, spellings would change with branching and movement of families. Variations of the name Breitbeck include Breidbach, Breidbache, Breidback, Breidbacke, Breidbakke, Breidbauch, Breidebach, Breitbache, Breitbach, Breitback, Breitbacke, Breitbakke, Breitbauch, Bredebach, Bredebache, Bredeback, Bredebacke, Breidbacher, Breidbacker, Breidbeck, Breidbecker, Breitbacher, Breitbacker, Breitbeck and many more.

Early Notables of the Breitbeck family

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

Migration of the Breitbeck family

Hundreds of thousands of Europeans, including many Rhinelanders, made the voyage to North America between the 17th and 20th centuries. It was an escape from religious persecution and poverty and also an opportunity for people to start over and own their own land. Most landed at Ellis Island, off New York before moving on to the states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas, Illinois, and California. Some also landed in Canada and settled in Ontario, while others headed west to the prairie provinces. A study of passenger and immigration lists has shown a number of people bearing the name of Breitbeck, or one of its variants, reaching North America shores very early: Nicolaus Breidebach and Johann Breidenbach both of whom arrived in Pennsylvania in 1764 and in 1765 respectively; Eckhard and Hannche Breidenbach who arrived in America in 1852 and 1853 respectively.