Surname Behrns - Meaning and Origin

Behrns: What does the surname Behrns mean?

The last name Behrns is of German origin, derived from a combination of two words: 'beraht,' which means 'bright' or 'shining,' and 'hohn,' which means 'sound.' Combined, these two words form 'behrns,' which is an old German term meaning 'bright sound.' The name is associated with a number of places in Germany and has been referenced in historical records as far back as the 16th century.

Historically, the name Behrns was used as a name for professions that used sound in some capacity. This could include musicians, instrument makers, metalworkers, and many other professions that would have been beneficial to the medieval society.

The Behrns family has a significant presence in Germany and, to a lesser extent, other parts of the world. According to records, the Behrns family first left Germany in 1661 for the United States. Since then, many members of the Behrns family have spread to other parts of the globe, taking the name with them.

Overall, the name Behrns is one deeply rooted in German history and tradition. The name is an old term that means “bright sound,” which emphasizes the importance of sound in medieval society. This would explain the connection to many of the professions given the name. Today, the Behrns family is spread across the world, most notably in Germany but also in many other places.

Behrns: Where does the name Behrns come from?

The last name Behrns is common throughout Northern Europe. It is particularly prevalent in Germany, where it is the 23rd-most common surname in the country. It can also be found in places like Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands, France, and Poland. Today, it is spelled in a variety of ways, including Behrens, Bahrns, and Bährns, and can also appear as Berhens, Bahrens, and Bearns.

The ancestry of the name Behrns dates back to the Middle Ages, when it was likely derived from the Germanic personal name Berhan. "Berhan" can be translated as "bright and shining", and its use as a surname in this era hints at the original bearer's strength and courage.

Behrns was also an occupational surname, typically used by farmers who raised livestock or farmers and craftsmen who grew grains and yeast. In addition to being associated with farming, the name Behrns later came to denote someone who lived close to a barley field, as the name began to be associated with the German word for barley, "bere".

Given its German origin, it is not surprising that the surname is most common in Germany. However, its popularity has spread throughout Europe, and many people with this surname can be found in the United States and Canada, where it is fairly common in certain areas. Ultimately, Behrns is a surname with a long and proud history and is still widely used throughout Northern Europe.

Variations of the surname Behrns

The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Behrns are Berne, Berns, Bernsen, Barns, Barnsen, Behrens, Beherns, and Benne.

Behrns is a German surname with a variety of possible spelling variations due to regional dialects. The origins of the surname likely derive from the Middle High German word bern or bärn, meaning “bear”. This may have been a descriptive nickname for a person who was strong and vigourous, much like a bear. It is likely that the surname was first used to identify members of the same family, and then used more broadly.

The variants of Behrns can be attributed to phonetic spelling of the name and regional variation in pronunciation. In some dialects, the sound of an adjacent consonant can influence the pronunciation of a preceding vowel, and this can result in different variants of the same name. For example, the surname Berne can be attributed to a dialectal pronunciation of Behrns which has been simplified where the “h” is dropped. Similarly, variants such as Berns and Bernsen may also be attributed to simplified pronunciations of Behrns, where the “h” sound is dropped and a consonant merging between the “e” and “r” occurs. Other variants such as Barns or Barnsen, and Beherns or Benne likely arise due to a similar phenomenon.

Overall, the variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Behrns are Berne, Berns, Bernsen, Barns, Barnsen, Behrens, Beherns, and Benne.

Famous people with the name Behrns

• Katie Behrns: Katies is a professional singer and songwriter from California. She has played with and written songs for Paramore, Backstreet Boys, Gwen Stefani, and The Dixie Chicks.
• Calen Behrns: Calen is an award winning actor known for his roles in films and television such as The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Deuce, and The Work and the Glory II: American Zion.
• Rachel Behrns: Known as the first female chair of the House Armed Services Committee, Rachel is a politician from Wisconsin who currently serves in the United States House of Representatives.
• Holly Behrns: Holly is a jazz saxophonist from Los Angeles who has played with artists including Kenny Loggins, Joe Cocker, David Sanborn, and Branford Marsalis.
• Corey Behrns: Corey is a professional baseball player from Arizona who has played for the Minnesota Twins, Arizona Diamondbacks, and New York Mets in his career.
• Joshua Behrns: Joshua is a chef and restaurateur from Florida who has been featured on Iron Chef America as well as Food Network's Chopped and The Best Thing I Ever Ate.
• Clint Behrns: Known as the founder of the Beast Costume Company, Clint is one of the most celebrated costume designers and cosplayers in the world.
• Drake Behrns: Drake is a professional MMA fighter from Canada who has won five titles in the UFC and defended four.
• Quintessence Behrns: Quartet Artemis Rising, comprised of members Jeanie Lim, Christoph Bull, Jory Fankuchen, and Quintessence Behrns, is an innovative classical ensemble who has performed in various cities throughout the United States.
• Don Behrns: Don is an art director, graphic designer, and painter originally from Texas. His work has been featured in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and Vanity Fair.

Other surnames

BehrndBehrndtBehrnsen