Surname Behrendz - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'B'
Behrendz: What does the surname Behrendz mean?
The last name Behrendz is of German origin. The name is thought to have originated in the Middle Ages from the Germanic elements 'bern', meaning 'bear' and 'hrad', meaning 'fortified enclosure'. It is most likely a location-based surname referring to a person from a fortification occupied by a bear.
Behrendz is the anglicized spelling of the German surname Behrend, and is most common in Northern Germany. It is not especially common in other countries.
The surname Behrendz may have been borne by a powerful ruler of a fortified castle or by people living in a town nearby. The bear in the name likely refers to a heraldic device, an emblem such as a bear, which was used by military and religious orders, individuals or families.
Behrendz may also have been an occupational name, referring to someone who worked with the bear, such as a hunter or animal trainer. Since the bear was associated with strength and courage in German culture, the name may have been a way of expressing those characteristics.
This surname is thought to have primarily been borne by people of German origin. It can still be found in Germany, but is much more common in other countries.
Order DNA origin analysisBehrendz: Where does the name Behrendz come from?
The last name Behrendz is most commonly found throughout the United States and Australia, as well as scattered across Europe. It has Germanic roots, and the French cultural variant is Béhrend. In the United States, the highest concentrations of people with the Behrendz last name can be found in California, Florida, Texas, and Ohio.
In Australia, the majority of people with the last name Behrendz live in the states of Victoria and New South Wales. In Europe, the highest concentration of this name can be found in Germany, followed by Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Belgium. Additionally, there are some people with the last name Behrendz in Russia, the Czech Republic, and Hungary.
This family name is not uncommon in Germany, where large numbers of immigrants from Central and Eastern Europe have settled. Since the Middle Ages, the surname has a strong presence in the historic state of Bavaria. While the last name is not particularly prevalent in the United States, many people of German descent have the Behrendz name in their family tree.
Overall, the last name Behrendz is most widely spread and recognized in the United States, Australia, and throughout much of the German-speaking parts of Europe. It is likely that with the globalization of migration, one can find Behrendz families in various parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Behrendz
Behrendz is a surname of German origin, with variants such as Bahrends, Behrens, Barrends, Behrendt, Baerenz, Baarantz, Berndz, Bernz, and Berns.
The spelling and pronunciation of this surname may vary based on geographical locations. For example, in the Netherlands it is pronounced as 'Bah-renz', while it is pronounced as 'Behr-enuz' in Germany.
In Germany and the Netherlands, the letter 'z' can also be exchanged with the letter 's', creating further variations of this last name – Behrens, Bernds and Berns, respectively. This is mainly seen in spelling variations, where the letter 'z' is converted to 's' to accommodate for the grammatical rules in the respective languages.
Additionally, '-tz' spellings such as Behrendtz and Bahrends are seen, and '-dt' and '-dz' spellings including Behrendt and Baarentz, respectively, are also in use.
The surname Behrendz is especially popular in Germany, but is present in various other European countries. It is also found outside Europe in countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia, where it is occasionally seen with slightly different spellings, like Behrinds, Behernds, and Bahrend.
Famous people with the name Behrendz
- Karl Behrends (1860-1945): German politician who served as Minister for Interior from 1908 to 1916 in the Unionist cabinets of Georg von Hertling.
- Emile Behrends (1917-2012): German-American artist known for his miniature realistic oil paintings, many of them with a higher degree of scientific accuracy than typically found in works of art.
- Alfred Behrends (1889-1945): A Jewish German lawyer and resistance fighter during World War II who was killed in the concentration camp of Mauthausen-Gusen.
- Werner Behrends (1921-2004): German actor who featured in a number of prominent films such as The Vanishing SEEDS of Summer (1960) and Ohm Krüger (1941).
- Elsa Behrend (1872-1948): A German painter, graphic artist, illustrator and graphic designer who had participated in seascape painting and the field of cubism.
- Friedrich Behrends (1883-1965): German author and philosopher who specialized in nature philosophy and the philosophy of education.
- Arthur Behrend (1882-1960): German composer and conductor of Jewish heritage whose works were banned in Germany by the Nazi regime.
- Heinrich Wilhelm Behrend (1727-1795): German composer and organist who was involved in the foundation of Berlin Singakademie, a choir school.
- Julius Behrend (1886-1965): German author, poet, editor and lyricist known for intensively pondering topics such as faith, death, death through mental illness and other poignant issues.
- Wilhelm von Behrend (1839-1903): German Physician and botanist who was chief medical officer of the Berlin Military Academy and associate professor at the Berlin College of Arts And Sciences.