Surname Butterstein - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'B'
Butterstein: What does the surname Butterstein mean?
The last name Butterstein is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word 'bote', which translates to 'messenger'. This suggests that the Butterstein family may have originated from a profession of messengering. It is possible that Butterstein ancestors were couriers or postal workers who transferred important missives between two parties.
The Butterstein surname was likely brought to the German-speaking regions by immigrants in the middle ages. German surnames were historically based on profession, locality or nickname, so it's possible that the Butterstein family may have had a messengering ancestry. The surname could also have derived from the Old German word 'beutel', which was used to refer to a bag used to store mails.
The Butterstein name is still popular today in Germany and can be found in various parts of the world. The family is likely proud of its roots and may use it to trace back their ancestral heritage. As with any other surname, specific meanings and origins can vary based on regional and cultural influences.
Order DNA origin analysisButterstein: Where does the name Butterstein come from?
The last name Butterstein is most common in Germany and Austria today. In Germany, it is associated mainly with the state of Bavaria. Records show that the first recorded use of the name Butterstein in Germany was in the 16th century in the small town of Röthenbach im Vogtland, home to the Butterstein family. The name is a combination of two German words, butter, meaning butter, and stein, meaning stone, and likely has its origins in a nickname for a person whose family dealt in butter.
In more modern times, the name Butterstein can be found throughout Germany and Austria, although its popularity varies from place to place. The name has become especially prominent in the historic states of Bavaria, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Hesse, with an estimated 2,689 people in Germany bearing the name in 2019.
It is also common for different spelling variants of the name Butterstein to be found in Germany and Austria. Common variations include Boothstein, Butzstein, Butterstine, and Buthersteine.
Thus, the last name Butterstein is most commonly found in Germany and Austria today, with Bavaria leading the way in terms of its frequency. Smaller numbers of people living in the United States and Canada may also bear the Butterstein last name.
Variations of the surname Butterstein
The surname Butterstein is a German/Ashkenazi Jewish surname. It is derived from the Middle High German word, butterstein, which means 'butter stone' and was a term for an expert in the production of butter. The English equivalent is Butterfield.
Butterstein is a rare surname; there are only around 400 people with the name. Variants of Butterstein include Buttersteiner, Boterstein, Buterstein, and Buterstain.
In North America, some variations of the name have been anglicised to Butterfield, Botterfield, Budterfield, Budterfielder, Butterfiller, Boterfiller, and Bufferfield. In England, the English spelling is often Butterfield, Boterfield, Botterfield, Boterfeild, and Butlerfield. In Germany, some of the variants are Buderstein, Buderstain, and Botersteyn. In France, the name is seen as Buterfalle and Bundterfelle.
All the variants of Butterstein originate from the Middle High German word. The surname is found mostly in the United States and Germany, and is a unique surname with limited geographical spread.
Famous people with the name Butterstein
- Celeste Butterstein: American costume designer, best known for her designs in films such as Baby Driver and The Shape of Water.
- Rebecca Butterstein: American child actress, known for her roles in commercials and in the television movie Seeds of Plans.
- Greta Butterstein: German-born jazz pianist and composer.
- Dr. David Butterstein: Biomedical engineer and former professor at Harvard University, specializing in the understanding of biological mechanisms related to disease.
- Jack David Butterstein: Jewish-American abstract expressionist painter.
- Pinchas Butterstein: Rabbi, author and lecturer who wrote extensively on the laws of inheritance and litigation between members of a family.
- tOdd Butterstein: Independent filmmaker, producer and editor, best known for his feature-length documentaries.
- Wendy Butterstein: Canadian science fiction and fantasy author.
- Mandar Butterstein: South African writer and playwright, best known for his plays exploring themes of gender identity, race, class and sexuality.
- Uri Butterstein: Israeli cartoonist whose works have appeared in newspapers and magazines across the world.