Surname Behring - Meaning and Origin

Behring: What does the surname Behring mean?

The last name Behring is a Germanic surname derived from a family name that originated in the area between Bavaria and Upper Franconia in Germany. The name likely originated from the Old High German 'berâ', meaning 'bear' and 'hart', meaning 'strong'. As a result a literal translation of the last name is 'strong bear'.

Historically this surname could have been used as a nickname for someone who was tough, tenacious and confident - all qualities that can be associated with a bear - and may have been given to someone who was brave in battle or had accomplished something notable.

Behring is the 77,720th most frequently borne surname in the world and is currently most prevalent in Germany, where approximately 1,400 people are estimated to carry the old name. In the USA, Behring is the 50,090th most frequent surname. In Norway, it is the 18th most popular surname and holds 13th place in Denmark.

Behring is an old name but remains relatively popular in some parts of the world. Most notably it has been associated with the Behring family of industrialists, most especially Bernhard Johann Behring of the US-based pharmaceuticals giant, Behring Corporation, which stands as one of the world's leading developers of vaccines and medical treatments.

Behring: Where does the name Behring come from?

The last name Behring is most commonly found throughout Germany today, as it has German origins that date back centuries. It is most prevalent in the north and west regions of Germany, particularly the regions of Berlin, Saxony, Prussia, and Bavaria. It has occasionally been found in other parts of Europe, such as France, Denmark, and Norway.

Behring can also be found in varying numbers across the United States. The largest concentrations of people with the surname Behring are in California, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. The name Behring has spread across the country as a result of the immigration patterns in German-American history. Many Germans first settled in the coastal east and midwest and eventually moved west with the gold rush of the mid 19th century.

Today, people with the last name Behring can be found all over the world, especially in countries with large German-speaking populations. Although its highest density is still in Germany, smaller pockets can be found in many other countries, such as Canada, Australia, Austria, and Switzerland.

Variations of the surname Behring

The surname Behring is derived from Old Germanic and can have different spellings and variants. Examples include Behr, Berring, Berringer, Brehmer, Bechmann, Baering, Bairing, Behringer, Behringhausen, Behrend, Berholz, Berkamp, Berking, Berning, Birnet, Borring, Brahm, Brahmst, Brehm, Breitenbach, and Ebner.

Behring is a patronymic surname derived from the Germanic given name “Berengar”, meaning “bright sword”. Its variants were carried to other regions such as Scandinavia, Europe, North America, and other parts of the world. As a result, the different spellings of Behring were created.

In some cases, such as in the case of Brahm, the surname is Germanised as a result of immigration and the need to adopt a Dutch-sounding name. Similarly, variants like Bechmann and Berholz have emerged from German-speaking regions, while Beamer and Bairing have their origins in English-speaking countries.

Behringer is sometimes used as an occupational name, referring to a breeder or keeper of bears, likely due to the German word "beren", meaning "bears". Bermeister is another occupational name, derived from German meaning "bear master". It has also appeared as Borring in parts of Scandinavia.

The variants of Behring can be hard to distinguish between but they all have similar origins. Most of the surnames can be traced back to Old German elements such as “beren”, “bari”, and “au” over the centuries. Some surnames have morphed and adapted from language to language, creating a multitude of different spellings.

Famous people with the name Behring

• Ken Behring: An American real estate developer and businessman best known for his ownership of the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks from 1988 to 1997.
• John Behring: An American television director and producer.
• Herb Behring: A German Jewish entrepreneur and businessman who successfully re-established his fortune and reputation after being forced to flee Nazi Germany in the early 1930s.
• Corrine Behring: A philanthropist, conservationist, and one of the only female owners of a professional sports team when she was part owner of the Seattle Seahawks with her late husband, Ken Behring.
• Theodor Behring: A German physician and scientist known for his contributions to the science of diphtheria and his successful development of an antitoxin.
• August Behring: A German electrical engineer and physics professor known for his groundbreaking research in the field of electrical engineering.
• Parley Behring: An American composer and arranger best known for his collaborations with Duke Ellington and Miles Davis in the 1940s and 1950s.
• Mark Behring: An American television producer and writer.
• Sanford Behring: An American investment banker and philanthropist who was the managing partner of Sanford C. Bernstein & Co.
• Martha Behring: An American civil rights activist who is remembered for her involvement in the African American equestrian movement and for her support of the March on Washington march of 1963.

Other surnames

BehringerBehringhoff