Surname Gutberlet - Meaning and Origin

Gutberlet: What does the surname Gutberlet mean?

The last name Gutberlet is an occupational surname derived from Middle High German and was used to describe a goldsmith, silversmith, or metalworker. The name is derived from the word "geler," which means to gild or gilt, which refers to the process of coating metals with a thin layer of gold or silver. Additionally, the name also refers to "berlet," which means metalwork.

The surname Gutberlet is most commonly found in German-speaking countries such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. In the United States, families with this surname often emigrated through the port of New York during the mid-1800s. Many of these families resided in Pennsylvania and other northeastern states where metalworking industries flourished.

Today, the surname Gutberlet continues to be passed down through families of German descent. While the originally meaning of the name is no longer widely known, it is still a reminder of its Germanic ancestry and is a great example of the influence of different European cultures in the United States.

Gutberlet: Where does the name Gutberlet come from?

The last name Gutberlet is most common today in Germany and Austria. According to ancestry.com, the name appears most often in the region as either Gutberlet, Gutbärlet or Gutbührle. The name literally translates to ‘good bear cub’, indicating a possible origin as a surname denoting a former profession related to bears.

In the 19th century, Gutberlet was an especially old-fashioned sounding name, and it is still occasionally associated with farmers and rural communities. Ancestry records show locals who bore the name had historically inhabited small villages in southern Germany, Austria, and across some of Europe’s other regions, from France and Switzerland to Hungary and Russia. On a larger scale, 53 Gutberlet families are currently settled in the United States.

With its German roots, the name is sometimes Anglicized to Gutberlet, as it's now used by assorted families generations removed from their European roots. While it may be an unusual name, it still forms a strong connection between generations for those descended from families who bore the name.

Variations of the surname Gutberlet

The Gutberlet surname has many variations, spellings and surnames with Germanic origins. These include: Gutberlett, Gutparlet, Gutperlet, Gutperlich, Gupfert, Gupfertel, Gupferth, Gutberleth, Gutperl, Gutperle, Gutberlett, Gutperlich, Gutfert, Gupfertel, Gupfertel, Gutparl, Gutparle, Gutberl, Gutberlth, Gutberletz and Gutperlz.

The Gutberlet surname is derived from a Germanic personal name which was most likely a combination of two elements, "gut" which means good, or god, and "berht" which means bright or famous. The meaning of the surname Gutberlet is thus most likely "good-famed", and was presumably given as a nickname to someone who was held in high regard.

Gutberlet is found mainly in the region of southern Germany, Switzerland and Austria, largely concentrated around Nuremberg, Coburg, Trier and more recently within the United States. The variation, Gutparlet, is found mainly in the area surrounding Paris, France and the spelling Gupfert, is found primarily around Basel, Switzerland.

Throughout various spellings over time the Gutberlet surname has been altered and changed, ultimately becoming the various spellings of the name found today. Some of these variants are more common than others and even region dependent, suggesting that for those with ancestry tracing back to the Gutberlet line, some research may be necessary in order to determine the original spelling of a particular family’s surname.

Famous people with the name Gutberlet

• David Gutberlet: German entrepreneur, investor, and business consultant.
• Wolfgang Gutberlet: German theatre director, writer, and actor
• Otto Gutberlet: former German Brigadier General
• Ferdinand Gutberlet: 19th century German sculptor
• Lillith Gutberlet: German fashion designer
• Sephora Gutberlet: German makeup artist
• Johann Gutberlet: 17th century German composer
• Willy Gutberlet: German football player
• Gertrud Gutberlet: German Kate Kuner actress
• Clemens Gutberlet: Bavarian General of Infantry in World War II
• Theresa Gutberlet: German operatic soprano
• Franz Gutberlet: German industrialist
• Hedwig Gutberlet: Austrian film actress
• Laurence Gutberlet: 19th century German professor
• Alfred Gutberlet: German playwright
• Erika Gutberlet: German children’s author
• Charlotte Gutberlet: German historian
• Ditta Gutberlet: German film producer
• Alfredo Gutberlet: Spanish chess grandmaster
• Greta Gutberlet: German politician Gutberlet is an old German surname that has been used by families for centuries. Many famous people with the last name Gutberlet have made their mark on society, ranging from entrepreneurs, to actors and writers, to musicians and sports stars. Whether it’s the theatre director Wolfgang Gutberlet, the mystery author Erika Gutberlet, or the chess grandmaster Alfredo Gutberlet, these famous Gutberlets have made contributions to culture and society that will last for generations to come.

Other surnames

Gutberlett