Surname Behrens - Meaning and Origin
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Tracing the Origins of the Behrens Surname: An iGENEA DNA Test Journey
Delving into my past, the iGENEA DNA test has offered a profound understanding of the Behrens surname. With roots branching back to the Northern Germanic tribes, unexpected bonds to the Ashkenazi Jewish lineage, ties to Celtic tribes, and connections to the North Sea Germanic peoples, my lineage stands as a captivating fusion of cultures and histories.
V. Behrens
read moreBehrens: What does the surname Behrens mean?
The surname Behrens is of German origin and is a patronymic name derived from the personal name Bernhard, meaning "Son of Bernhard. " Bernhard is composed of the elements "bern," which means "bear," and "hard," meaning "brave, hardy, or strong.” Therefore, the surname inherently translates to "son of the brave or hardy bear." Popular in Northern Germany, it has variations including Behrend and Behrendt. The surname makes a significant appearance in early medieval records, and it was widespread due to Saint Bernhard of Clairvaux, a leading figure in the church during the 11th century. Many parents named their sons Bernhard to honor the saint, leading to the creation of the surname Behrens.
Order DNA origin analysisBehrens: Where does the name Behrens come from?
The surname Behrens is of German origin, derived from the given name Berinhard, which is a combination of two Old High German words "beraht" that means bright, and "hardu" that signifies strong or hardy. The name was largely used in northern Germany, specifically in the regions of Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony.
Today, the surname is still most common in Germany. According to recent data, it's particularly prevalent in the regions of Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia. Nonetheless, due to historical emigration patterns, the surname has also spread to other parts of the world. Particularly, it's found to some extent in the United States, especially in states with a high percentage of people of German descent like Minnesota and Iowa. Some instances of the surname can also be found in parts of South Africa, due to German colonisation and immigration in the past, as well as in Scandinavian countries because of its close proximity and historical connections to Germany.
Variations of the surname Behrens
The surname Behrens is of German origin and is a patronymic surname that derived from the personal name Bernhard, meaning "bear-hearted" or "bold as a bear". Variants include Behrend, Behrendt, Behrendts, Behrends, Behrens, Berns, Bernsen, and others. The "s" at the end indicates "son of", thus Behrens translates to "son of Behrend."
Similarly, any spelling that includes a combination of "Behr", "Bahr", "Behren", or "Behrnd" could potentially be a variant of the same name, albeit less common. There are also variations based on geographic region and dialect. For instance, the English equivalent of this German surname is Barnes, a likely corruption of the original surname.
In some Nordic countries, the surname can also be spelled as Bæhr or Bæhren. Dutch variations might include Beeren or Beirens. It's important to remember that the pronunciation of these names can vary greatly depending on the country and region, leading to further spelling variations.
Behrens is a fairly common surname in Germany, Denmark, and in the United States among descendants of German immigrants. Despite the variety of spellings and regional variants, these names all trace back to the same root.
Famous people with the name Behrens
- Peter Behrens: A prominent German architect and designer for the early 20th century.
- Carl Behrens: An American politician from South Dakota.
- Terri Edda Miller: Born as Terri Edda Behrens, she is an American television producer.
- TC Behrens: An American cinematographer and director.
- Martin Behrens (actor): A German actor known for "The White Band" and "Nothing Bad Can Happen".
- Jürgen Behrens: A German footballer who played for FC Bayern Munich in the 1970s.
- Cliff Behrens: A renowned professional saxophone player.
- Frank Behrens: An American actor most known for his role in the movie "New Guy".
- Ingo Behrens: A German athlete who competed in the men's marathon at the 1992 Summer Olympics.
- Heinrich Behrens: A German tennis player who competed in the 1912 Summer Olympics.
- Jacob Friedrich Behrens: Was a German textile businessman and philanthropist, after whom the Jacob-Friedrich-Behrens-Straße in Bramsche, Lower Saxony is named.
- Justus Wilhelm Karl Behrens: A German physician and writer in Healthcare.