Bartholdy

Bartholdy is a surname of German origin. It is most closely associated with the Mendelssohn Bartholdy family, a branch of the Mendelssohn lineage that gained prominence in the 18th and 19th centuries. The Bartholdy element appears as part of a double-barrel surname used by some family members, reflecting a practice of preserving lineage in a combined name.

Notable bearers include Abraham Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1776–1835), a German Jewish banker and philanthropist, and his son Jakob Ludwig Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809–1847), the renowned Romantic composer commonly known as Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy. Felix is considered one of the leading figures of early Romantic music, with a prolific output that includes symphonies, concertos, and overtures.

Today, the surname Bartholdy continues to appear within German-speaking communities and is recognized primarily through its historical connection to the Mendelssohn Bartholdy name. It is sometimes encountered as part of modern individuals’ full names or as a legacy form within the extended Mendelssohn family.