Surname Behse - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'B'
Behse: What does the surname Behse mean?
The last name Behse is of German origin and is thought to have derived from the Middle High German word “beise” which means “forest” or “clearing”. Thus, the surname is thought to have originally referred to someone who lived in or near a forest or clearing.
Interestingly, people with this name may have also been originally from the Huguenot region of France, from which many migrated to German-speaking areas in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, or it could again refer to someone who lived in or near a clearing, albeit in the French countryside. Alternatively, the surname could also be derived from the French version of the same word, which is “baisse”, and refer to someone who was low in social or economic status.
In contemporary times, however, the surname Behse is most commonly associated with a line of prestigious German brewing families and distillers, like Behse-Kohler, Behse-Werth, and H. Behse KG.
Behse is currently a very rare name, with less than 500 people in the world holding it in the 21st century. That said, this unique surname is still largely associated with German nobility and the proud history of German distilling and brewing.
Order DNA origin analysisBehse: Where does the name Behse come from?
Behse is a German surname most commonly found in Germany today. It is a relatively uncommon surname, but is still present in certain regions of the country. In addition to Germany, Behse families can also be found in countries like Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary.
Behse has several different possible meanings, some associated with nature and others related to its origin. It is thought to be derived from the Old German word ‘bozes’ meaning ‘badger’. This would make Behse a nickname for someone with qualities, such as being determined or persistent, associated with the badger. Another possibility is that it could originate from the German words ‘bose’ meaning ‘injury’ or ‘evil’ and ‘hausen’ meaning ‘hut’, which would refer to someone who lived in a small, primitive shelter. The surname could also come from the German ‘behagen’ which means ‘to please’, potentially indicating an agreeable or pleasant character.
Due to its geographical roots, Behse is still fairly common in Germany today, with some families living in the area for generations. There is a Behse Street in Cologne, a city in western Germany, and several other small towns and villages throughout the country also bear the name. Aside from its homeland, families with this surname can now also be found in countries like the United States, Australia, and Brazil.
Variations of the surname Behse
The surname Behse has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variant is the Buese surname. Other variants include Besse, Behsle, and Behslein. Some of the spellings of the surname include Baise, Bays, Beays, Beise, Beiss, Beisser, Beizer, Beizer, Beizs, Beizss, Bese, Beues, Bese, and Beuse.
The surname has Germanic origins, and originated from the Middle High German term "Bousse," meaning "woodland." It was likely used as an occupational name to describe someone who worked in a forest or produced products from a woodland. The surname was also used as an occupational name to describe a hunter, someone who delivered messages, or someone who was the overseer of a forest.
The surname can be found in various countries, including Germany, Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary. In the United States, the surname is most commonly found in the states of Texas, Pennsylvania, and Missouri. It is not uncommon for this surname to appear in other countries, including the Czech Republic, Russia, Great Britain, France, and Canada.
In conclusion, the surname Behse has numerous variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Variations of the surname include Buese, Besse, Behsle, and Behslein, while spellings may include Baise, Bays, Beays, Beise, Beiss, Beisser, Beizer, Beizer, Beizs, Beizss, Bese, Beues, Bese, and Beuse. The surname has Germanic origins and likely refer to those working in woodlands. The surname has been found in various countries, such as Germany, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and the United States.
Famous people with the name Behse
- Inge Behse (1906-2004), German-born British artist and agent of Hermann Göring during World War II.
- Robert Behse (born 1965), German graphic designer, photographer, and caricaturist.
- Vinh Quan Behse (born 1980), leader of the far-left political party Die Linke in Germany.
- Johannes Behse (1577–1637), German Baroque composer and organist.
- Erich Behse (1892–1971), German classicist and paleographer.
- Richard Behse (born 1953), Australian physicist.
- Fritz Behse (1901–1945), German Nazi involved in genocide during World War II.
- Ingo Behse (born 1959, German biographer and historian.
- Anton Behse (1875–1953), German composer and classicist.
- Harry Behse (born 1939), Swiss composer.