Surname Begin - Meaning and Origin

Begin: What does the surname Begin mean?

Begin is a surname of Jewish Ashkenazi origin. The name appears quite frequently in Eastern Europe, especially in Poland. The name itself doesn't have a specific meaning in English. However, in Hebrew, "begin" can be loosely translated to "cowboy". The name might have been occupational, possibly given to individuals who were cowboys or cattle ranchers. Some famous people with the surname Begin include Menachem Begin, former Prime Minister of Israel and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate. As with most surnames, the exact meaning can be difficult to pinpoint due to the complexities of language evolution and migration over the centuries. Lastly, it's important to note that surnames can have various origins and meanings across different cultures and languages. Therefore, without a specific cultural or geographic context, it's challenging to give a definitive meaning to the surname Begin.

Begin: Where does the name Begin come from?

The surname Begin is believed to have its origins in France. It is a metonymic occupational name for a novice, a young monk or a page, derived from the modern French word "béguin," meaning novice. During medieval times, it was common for personal names to be derived from the professions or occupations of the first bearers.

As with many other French surnames, people started adopting it as a hereditary name under the influence of the seigneurial system. The surname was first found in the region of Normandy.

Today, the surname Begin is most common in the province of Quebec in Canada. This is due to the French colonization of the area in the 16th and 17th centuries. The name is also moderately prevalent in the United States, though it remains relatively rare. Within Europe, France naturally has a significant number of people bearing the surname. It is also present, though less common, in various other countries around the globe. It’s worth noting that Menachem Begin, a famous bearer of this surname, was an Israeli politician, founder of Likud and the sixth Prime Minister of Israel.

Variations of the surname Begin

The surname Begin is mostly associated with French origin, although its specific origin isn't confirmed. It can be an occupational name from 'bégue,' meaning 'stammer,' implying that the original bearer might have had a speech impediment. There could also be a connection to the 'Beguine' religious movement in the 13th century, and the surname might denote initial membership or association with this group.

Numerous variants of this surname exist due to regional pronunciations, dialect differences, phonetic spellings, and translation into other languages. Variations that could have the same origin include: Begine, Bégine, Beguin, Béguin, and Beegin.

Spelling variants might also be a result of Anglicization or linguistic adaptations in countries where different alphabets are used. This surname might potentially be anglicized as Beginn, Bgin, or Beejin.

As for related surnames, they may deviate substantially from the original based on local phonetic preferences or marital affiliations. Some potentially related surnames include Beguinot, Begnaud, Begnal, and Begendorf. This list isn't exhaustive since familial names can greatly diverge over centuries and migrations. These names or any variants might be related to Begin but there is a need for genealogical research to confirm.

Famous people with the name Begin

• Menachem Begin: A prominent Israeli politician, he served as the sixth prime minister of Israel from 1977 to 1983. He was a Nobel Peace Prize laureate for his role in the signing of the peace treaty with Egypt.
• Zelda Begin: The wife of Menachem Begin, she was an active public figure and participated in the activities related to the welfare of servicemen and their families.
• Benny Begin: A geologist and Israeli politician, he is the son of Menachem Begin. He held several ministerial positions in the Israeli government.
• Zalman Begin: An Israeli scientist and the son of Menachem Begin, he is known for his work in the fields of electrochemistry and thermodynamics.
• Herzl Begin: Another son of Menachem Begin who kept a low profile as a private citizen, avoiding politics or public life.
• Hassia Bégine: A former silent film actress from Belgium, notable for her roles in European cinema during the early 20th century. Please note, other than Menachem Begin and his immediate family, not many other public figures share this last name.

Other surnames

Begins