Surname Beerbohm - Meaning and Origin

Beerbohm: What does the surname Beerbohm mean?

The last name Beerbohm is of German origin, and is derived from the medieval name ‘Bertholme’ or ‘Berthold’ which are both derived from the old German word ‘berht’ which means ‘bright’ or ‘shining’. The literal meaning of Beerbohm is someone who is ‘bright or shining in either thought or belief’.

Beerbohm is a German surname once found mainly in the region of Bavaria. However, modern immigrants have spread this name to other countries around the world. Records suggest it is most commonly found in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and South Africa.

Those with the last name Beerbohm tend to be quite enterprising, successful, and have a sharp wit. Their lively and intuitive approach to life, combined with a passionate spirit, provides the family with the power and energy they need to excel. They are creative and natural born leaders, and often excel in areas such as entrepreneurship, business, and the arts.

The Beerbohm surname is not necessarily considered a ‘noble’ name, although many families bearing this surname have achieved great success and great things. As a result, the family has enjoyed some celebrity status since the 19th century. Today, many people with the last name Beerbohm lead successful and influential lives.

Beerbohm: Where does the name Beerbohm come from?

The last name Beerbohm is most commonly found today in Germany. German records list an estimated 29,072 people bearing the Beerbohm surname in 2017, with the vast majority residing in the country’s northern and southern regions. It is also quite common in the U.S., where the Beerbohm surname ranked 1,191 out of 887,799 total surnames tallied in the 1990 U.S. Census. The origin of the name is German, with records suggesting it roots back to a small village called Beitbohm/Bauerbohm located in the southeast region just outside Berlin.

The Beerbohm name courses throughout Germany’s history, with the earliest known reference being as far back as the 1400s. The surname is found in old German church records, being closely associated with the Beitbohm/Bauerbohm villages. The family was known for its prominent occupation in the region, having filled positions such as brewmasters, stonecutters, and glassblowers. Today, the large population of Beerbohms trace their origins back to those times, many living in Germany’s historically relevant cities like Berlin, Stuttgart, and Frankfurt.

Beerbohm is also a very common last name outside of Germany, with thousands of people bearing it in countries like the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and the U.S. In the U.S., the surname found itself among some famous people like caricaturist and diary keeper Max Beerbohm and theater and film critic Kenneth Tynan.

Variations of the surname Beerbohm

The surname Beerbohm is a German surname, which is derived from the German words' Bier 'and' Bahn 'which together mean 'beer street'. It is also spelled as Beerbaum, Beyerbohm, Birkenbohm, Berebohm, Berbohm and Berebom.

The name originates from the city of Beerbohm, a small city located on the Eastern part of the Rhine-Main region of Germany, which was known for its breweries. The earliest recorded spelling of the surname was 'Beerbaum' and was recorded in 1790.

As the surname Beerbohm began to spread throughout Europe, some variants of the spelling also began to appear in different countries. For example, it was recorded with the spellings 'Beyerbohm' in Prussia and 'Berebohm' in Austria.

In addition to the variants, other surnames of the same origin also developed in other countries, such as 'Birkenbohm', which is the Swedish spelling of the surname, and 'Berbohm', which is the Dutch spelling. The surname has also been recorded as 'Berbom' in several parts of the United States.

Today, the surname Beerbohm is found in many countries around the world, such as Germany, France, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.

Overall, the variations and spellings of the surname Beerbohm are vast and it is likely that the origin of the name is much more complex than its current spelling might suggest.

Famous people with the name Beerbohm

• Max Beerbohm (1872-1956): British essayist, parodist, art critic and caricaturist.
• Herbert Beerbohm Tree (1853-1917): English stage actor, theatre manager and producer.
• Dorelia Beerbohm (1881-1963): British artist and wife of Max Beerbohm.
• Julius Beerbohm (1861-1947): English comic actor and playwright.
• Dorothy Beerbohm (1885-1971): Artist and sister of Max Beerbohm.
• Walter J. Beerbohm (1907-1997): British botanist and brother of Max Beerbohm.
• George Beerbohm (1854-1947): English flower painter.
• Luke Beerbohm (born 1970): Canadian actor and singer.
• Henry Beerbohm (1847-1921): English playwright and novelist.
• Reginald Beerbohm (1893-1971): British aristocracy and author of short stories.

Other surnames

Beerbom