Surname Barkhau - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'B'
Barkhau: What does the surname Barkhau mean?
The last name Barkhau is generally of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word ‘bregen’ which means ‘to weave’, ‘to plait’ or ‘to interconnect’. This name was likely given to one who was a skilled weaver, which is evidenced by its variant spellings such as Breche, Bereche, and Brecke.
The surname Barkhau is recorded in various places around Germany. Early records show that the Barkhau name was found in Bavaria from at least the end of the 13th century. It also appears in the Rhineland from the 15th century and in Hanover, Oldenberg, and Tetledorf from the 17th century.
The name is also found in the US, in the form of Barkhauer and variations. It is likely that the first bearers of this name in America were early German immigrants who came to the US in the 18th Century, settling in Pennsylvania, in the Pennsylvania Dutch country.
Throughout its history, the Barkhau name has spread across the world and developed many variations. Although the name’s origin places it in German-speaking countries, today the Barkhau surname is found in many different countries around the world.
Order DNA origin analysisBarkhau: Where does the name Barkhau come from?
The last name Barkhau is of German origin. Today, it is commonly found in the United States, Canada, and Germany. It is also found in the Scandinavian countries, particularly Sweden and Denmark.
In the United States, the name is most common in Pennsylvania. In 2014, the Social Security Administration records of the name Barkhau showed 683 people with the name living in the United States. The population of those with the last name have risen slightly over the decades, however, it is still classified as a rare surname.
In Canada, the most populational regions with the last name Barkhau are Ontario and British Columbia. In 2014, there were 394 individuals recorded with the same last name.
In Germany, the most common regions that Barkhau is found are Bavaria and Hesse. This region has the largest population with the name, with 2,904 individuals recorded with the surnames Barkhau or Barkhausen in 2014.
In the Scandinavian countries, Sweden has the highest population of individuals with the last name Barkhau, specifically in Stockholm, with 124 people recorded with the same last name in 2014. In Denmark, the most populational regions where the surname is found are in Jutland and North Zealand, with 68 individuals recorded with the last name in 2014.
Variations of the surname Barkhau
The surname Barkhau is of German origin and can be spelled in various ways, including Barkhauer, Barkhau, Barkhah, Barkhore, Barkhor, Barkhaur, Bargahau, Berkhauer, Berkhauer, Berkhau, Berkhore, Berkhaur and Barkau. It is believed that these variations of the surname may have originated from the Old German "berg" meaning "mountain" and "hau" meaning "high". Therefore, it is likely that the Barkhau family trace their ancestry to those who lived in geographic areas near mountains.
People bearing the Barkhau surname can be found in Germany, Switzerland and other parts of Europe. Within Germany, the name is particularly common in the southwestern state of Baden-Württemberg, as well as in the Bavarian regions of Oberpfalz and Schwaben.
In the United States, the Barkhau surname has spread to many different states, as families have emigrated from their original homeland and resettled throughout the country. It is most commonly found in Missouri and Wisconsin, although some individuals with the name can be found in California, Ohio, New York, Maine and other states.
The Barkhau surname is quite rare, and has never been used as a given name. People of the same origin often refer to one another as "Barkhauers" or "Barkhauten". There is also a folk-lore tradition that those with this surname may possess supernatural powers which allow them to read people's minds. Whether true or not, the Barkhau name is quite unique and can be traced back hundreds of years.
Famous people with the name Barkhau
- Carl Barkhau: An American sailor and a polar explorer in the early 20th century.
- C. Meinhard Barkhau: An American historian and theologian.
- Peter C. Barkhau: An American actor, best known for his role in the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
- Philippe Barkhau: A French filmmaker and music composer.
- Suzy Barkhau: An American actress, best known for her roles on TV sitcoms such as Friends.
- Leif O. Barkhau: A Norwegian adventurer, who explored the Arctic regions during the 20th century.
- Victor W. Barkhau: An American associate professor in linguistics at the Northeastern University, working on the Structural Grammar of sign languages.
- Laurie Barkhau: An American journalist, contributing to publications such as Harvard Business Review and Forbes.
- Louise Barkhau: An American painter, focused on landscape paintings in the distinct style of Luminism.
- Fredrik Barkhau: A Swedish cross country skier, who competed for the Swedish National Team at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.