Surname Behrendsmeier - Meaning and Origin

Behrendsmeier: What does the surname Behrendsmeier mean?

The last name Behrendsmeier is of German origin. It is derived from the German given name Bernhard, which means "bold as a bear." Variations of the name include Bernd, Bernhardt, Bernhardts, Bart, Berndts, and Berndsmeiers.

The most likely origin of the surname Behrendsmeier is that it was borne by a man called "Behrend" or "Bearhand", or "Bart" for short. Some variants of the surname include ornamental additions such as "Meiners", "Bachers" or "Erles", meaning 'Little Bear'. This denotes a man of small stature who was brave as a bear.

The Behrendsmeier surname is found mainly in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, where it has been present since the 13th century. It is also noted in the states of Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Hamburg.

The surname Behrendsmeier carries with it a feeling of strength and courage that has been passed down over the generations. The surname stands for a person who courageously stands and succeeds in the face of difficult challenges.

Behrendsmeier: Where does the name Behrendsmeier come from?

The last name Behrendsmeier is most commonly found in Europe today, particularly Germany, Austria, and parts of Eastern Europe. This is likely an indication of the name's origins, which come from the Germanic regions - the prefix "Behrend" means "bear," and the suffix "schmeir" means "guard or watchman."

In modern times, the name features prominently in Germany, with multiple occurrences of the surname in multiple locations. In terms of population, however, the last name is quite low, with a 2019 survey indicating that it is the 112,714th most common last name in Germany. It is also recorded in other central and eastern European countries, including Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Russia, and Slovakia.

Outside of Europe, the last name can also be found in areas that have been influenced by German immigration. Australia and the United States are two areas where the name is quite prominent; in the USA, it is estimated that there are hundreds or potentially even thousands of people with the last name Behrendsmeier.

In conclusion, although the last name is not particularly common today, it is still predominantly found in Europe, particularly in parts of Germany, Austria, and Eastern Europe. It is also found in migration-influenced countries like Australia and the USA.

Variations of the surname Behrendsmeier

Behrendsmeier is a German surname, with variants including Behrendsmayr, Behrendt, Behrendts and Behrndt. All four variants have the same origin, and they appear to have developed over time to take on subtly different spellings and versions.

The root of the surname is believed to be the German word ‘Behr’, which was a title given to those who provided services or jobs in a particular domain. Behr was also used to refer to forgers, wheelwrights and carpenters. The second part of the surname, the ‘end’ or ‘d’ suffix, is believed to refer to the work or skills associated with the individual who had the title.

This surname can also be found with a ‘z’ at the end rather than a ‘d’. It is thought that this adjustment of the surname could be associated with a different geographic region in which the family once lived. Moreover, variants such as Behrendtmayer and Behrendtmaier are also recorded.

Additionally, the surname has been recorded with an added ‘meier’ on the end, which means ‘farmer’ in German. This suggests that there could have been a family of Behrends that was associated with farming, meaning that the variant is a combination of the original title with this activity, creating the surname variant Behrendsmeier.

Overall, the surname Behrendsmeier, with its many variants, is a testament to the evolution of a family name over the years. Although the variants have changed, the root remains the same.

Famous people with the name Behrendsmeier

• Are Behrendsmeier: Professional hockey player
• John Behrendsmeier: American rugby league footballer
• Kurt Behrendsmeier: German track and field athlete
• Sabine Behrendsmeier: German rower
• Alexander Behrendsmeier: German physicist
• Heinz Behrendsmeier: German pistol shooter
• Erich Behrendsmeier: German flatwater kayaker
• Meirika Behrendsmeier: German cross-country skier
• Rolf Behrendsmeier: German luger
• Lars Behrendsmeier: German ski jumper

Other surnames

Behrendsmeyer