Surname Behrend - Meaning and Origin
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Discovering Behrend: A DNA tale of German Ancestry and Celtic Connections
As a result of the iGENEA DNA Test, I discovered the fascinating depth and richness of my lineage. I traced back my German surname, Behrend, to its origin and explored the remarkable history that unfolded. I am a part of an illustrious heritage, woven from Celtic tribes and Ice Age hunters, speaking to the power and resilience of my ancestors.
T. Behrend
read moreBehrend: What does the surname Behrend mean?
The last name Behrend is of German origin and is a patronymic name derived from the given name Berend. It is an occupational name for a potter or the father of a potter.
In the Middle Ages, pottery was a craft practiced by families in many communities and each family likely had their own design. By the 17th century, pottery was a well-established industry and Behrend was a surname borne by countless potters throughout Germany. The name Behrend is sometimes alternatively spelled Behrends, Behrendt, and Berndt.
Today, the surname Behrend is rare and typically still found among many German-speaking people. The surname is likely to carry a feeling of pride for modern Germans as pottery has become a symbol of German culture and craftsmanship.
Behrend means “the potter”, and it is a name that reminds us of a time when families worked together to craft beautiful objects. This name is a reminder of the past and a celebration of the country’s rich history of craftsmanship and working together.
Order DNA origin analysisBehrend: Where does the name Behrend come from?
The last name Behrend is a German name that is still commonly found today in Germany, the Netherlands, other parts of Northern Europe, and in areas that were formerly part of the German Empire. It is a fairly well-distributed name in Germany, with populations being found mainly in the regions of Saxony-Anhalt, Lower Saxony, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia, Bavaria, and Berlin. As the descendants of German immigrants, it is also common today in the United States, Canada, and other former German colonies throughout the world, such as Namibia and Brazil. According to data provided by the United States Census Bureau, almost 114,000 people in the US have the Behrend surname. The origins of the name are uncertain, but it may have derived from the old German word "berhend" which means "valiant" or "courageous". This suggests the name was originally given to a family of brave and hardworking individuals.
Variations of the surname Behrend
The surname Behrend is believed to have been of Germanic origins and has numerous variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin, which includes the following: Bahrend, Baerhend, Behrandt, Baerhrend, Behrhend, Beharnt, Behrendt, Berhrend, Barhrent, Behrent, Behrens, Berhrens, Behrans, Behrans, Behrans, Behrendsen, Berhrendsen, Behrendson, Berhrendson, Behrendsohn, Berhrendsohn, Behrenson, Berhrenson, and Bharnd.
The spelling and pronunciation of the surname depend largely upon the country and region of origin. For example, in the United States, it is often written as ‘Behrend’, while in Germany and certain other German-speaking countries, it is spelled ‘Behrendt’. The different spellings may also have different meanings – ‘Behrends’ may be used to denote a person who came from a place or town named ‘Behrends’, whereas ‘Behrans’ may refer to a person who came from ‘Behar’.
The variations in spelling and pronunciation of the surname Behrend are primarily due to regional and national differences in the German languages, which have led to adaptations and changes in the spellings and pronunciations of the surname. They indicate the many places from which the surname has originated, and ultimately how it has spread throughout Europe and the world.
Famous people with the name Behrend
- Ted Behrend: American politician and environmentalist
- James Behrend: Southwest Regional Music Director of Young Americans for Liberty
- Erich Behrend: German archeologist
- von Behrend: Socialite, space enthusiast, and philanthropist
- Artur Behrend: German director and screenwriter
- Arthur Behrend: British soldier and recipient of the Victoria Cross
- Axel Behrend: Swedish orienteer
- Marjorie Behrend: American novelist
- Harry Behrend: businessman and philanthropist
- Ilya Schurov Behrend: Russian-Australian fashion developer