indicate the level to which a name has been verified.
Type Surname (from occupation, from location & from nickname)
Usage German
Other Forms FormsBreiter, Breitter, Breittner, Breither, Breit, Breidt, Breid, Breiden, Breydt, Breite, Breiten, Breitz, Breed, Breedt, Breet, Breeding, Breiding, Britez, Brites, Brittes, Brittez, Breeds, Breetz, Breder, Brede, Bredt, Breede, Breider, Brieder, Breijder, Breide, Breith, Breyther, Breyter, Breitsch, Breetsch, Breidert
Meaning & History
Derived from Middle High German breit meaning "broad, fat, wide". This was either a nickname for a stout or fat person, a topographic name for someone who lived on fertile and flat land, or an occupational name for a farmer who owned such land. It could also denote a person who came from any one of the places in Germany called Breit or Breidt. A famous bearer is retired German soccer player Paul Breitner (1951-).