Surname Behnert - Meaning and Origin
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Behnert: What does the surname Behnert mean?
The last name Behnert is of German origin, and is derived from the German word “bener,” which means farmer or landowner. It is typically found in areas of the former German Empire, including Germany, Poland, and other countries in Central and Eastern Europe.
The Behnert surname is very common among German-speaking populations, and was used to differentiate people with the same name. It was used to distinguish those of the same family, as well as differentiate between people who were related by marriage or immigration.
Those with the Behnert surname were usually land owners or farmers before the introduction of surnames. This is a testament to their former wealth and high social standing in medieval Germany and the surrounding countries.
It is also possible that the surname comes from the German word “behner,” meaning “to peek” or “lookout.” This could indicate that those who bore the Behnert surname were responsible for watching over their farms.
The Behnert surname is thought to have been one of the oldest German surnames. It is still common among German speakers, and its meaning is now well known. Those who carry the Behnert surname can look pride in being descended from a long lineage of respected farmers and landowners.
Order DNA origin analysisBehnert: Where does the name Behnert come from?
Behnert is a family name that originated in Medieval Germany and is predominantly found in Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand today.
In Germany, the last name is found in the Rhineland-Palatinate region, along with the states of Schleswig-Holstein, Lower Saxony, and Brandenburg. It is also fairly common in Berlin. In France, the name is mainly found in the Calvados and Moselle regions, as well as the cities of Paris, Lyon, and Bordeaux.
In North America, the last name is common in the United States, particularly in the states of New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. It is also common in parts of Canada, particularly British Columbia and Ontario. It is also commonly found in Australia and New Zealand.
The name Behnert is derived from the Old German word "bern", meaning bear. It was likely an occupational surname, given as a nickname to someone who acted like a bear or worked with bears, such as a hunter or tamer, or someone who lived near a bear den or otherfeatured strongly in their topography.
Behnert is not a particularly common name today, but it certainly can be found in all of the main countries where it originated.
Variations of the surname Behnert
The surname Behnert is derived from the German word 'behner' meaning 'smith'. This last name has several variants, spellings, and alternate surnames, including:
Behnat, Behnertt, Behnatte, Behnath, Behner, Behnerd, Behners, Behnerth, Behner, Behnery, Bennert, Behnerts, Benert, Beirne, Benhart, Benhardt, Bianet, Biehrn, Bierne, Biernet, Bianath and Bennery.
The English variant of the surname Behnert is 'Beers'. This is derived from the medieval occupation of 'brewer' and 'ale-wife'.
Variations of Behnert in other languages include:
Dutch: Beerne, Beernt, Beernts, Benert, Benerts, Benner, Bener, Benerd, Bennerth, Bennerts
French: Beauchamp, Beauchamps, Beauchand, Beauner
Italian: Benato, Benatro, Benatti, Benatti, Benatto, Benatti, Benato
Polish: Biniak, Biniakowski, Biniakowsky
Portuguese: Benato, Benatti, Benatto
Slovak: Binak, Binaik
The variant surnames of Behnert are often anglicized, or changed to sound like an English surname. Different spellings of the name have occurred as changes in spelling have taken place over time due to pronunciation, regional dialects, translations, and various interpretations of records.
The Behnert surname is found throughout the world today, with populations concentrated in Germany, the United States, Poland, Brazil, Austria, and Australia. Current bearers of this surname are often descendants of the Middle Ages, when individuals often changed their last names to fit their social and economic situations.
Famous people with the name Behnert
- Carl Behnert (1836-1913): German painter of landscapes and figure pictures.
- Kim Behnert (1937-2010): American journalist and author.
- Lina Behnert (1858–1911): German operatic mezzo-soprano.
- Philip Behnert (1905–1966): German actor and radio announcer.
- C. A. Behnert (1867–1934): German sculptor.
- Johann Gottfried Behnert (1795–1873): German Lutheran clergyman.
- Nicolai Behnert (1921-2012): German historical painter and engraver.
- John Behnert (1937-2012): American politician and businessman.
- Carl Gottfried Behnert (1792-1863): German theologian and astronomer.
- August Behnert (1885-1948): German architect and stage designer.