Surname Bekker - Meaning and Origin
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Bekker: What does the surname Bekker mean?
The last name Bekker is of Dutch origin and has many possible meanings. It most commonly originates from the Dutch word for "baker", most likely referring to an ancestor that was a baker. Alternatively, it has been suggested that the name originates from the Dutch personal name Bek, meaning "little" or "small" and "ker" meaning "person". Thus, Bekker could have been a Dutch occupational surname for someone who worked as a "little person" or a "small person".
Additionally, the last name Bekker could also be of German origin and derived from the German word "beker", meaning "drinking cup". This could have been a nickname or descriptive name for someone who was associated with the making of drinking cups or perhaps was thought to have the color of one.
Beyond the etymological possibilities, the last name Bekker is quite common in both the Netherlands and South Africa, where many Dutch settlers went during the 1600s and 1700s. In the Netherlands, Bekker is concentrated in Amsterdam, North Holland, and Utrecht. In South Africa, the last name Bekker is significant in the Western and Eastern Cape provinces, as well as the Northern Cape.
Interestingly, the last name Bekker has a slightly different meaning in the Indonesian language in which it is spelled "Bakker". In Indonesian, it means "farmer".
Order DNA origin analysisBekker: Where does the name Bekker come from?
The last name Bekker is most commonly found in the Netherlands , particularly in the provinces of North Holland and South Holland. The Netherlands holds the vast majority of the world’s population of people with the last name Bekker. The name is also common in other parts of northern Europe, such as Germany, Belgium, Denmark, and Sweden. It is even found in Norway,especially in the northern area of the country where it is most prevalent.
In the United States, the last name Bekker is not as common as it is in Europe. However, there are still small pockets of people living in the US with the last name Bekker. These are mostly concentrated in the larger cities such as New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles. It is also found in smaller cities throughout the United States.
The last name Bekker is also found in South Africa, as Dutch settlers brought the name to the country during colonial times. Many of those descendants who live in South Africa today still carry the last name Bekker, the name having been passed down through the generations.
Overall, the name Bekker is most commonly found in Europe, particularly in the Netherlands, along with a smaller presence found in the United States and South Africa.
Variations of the surname Bekker
The surname Bekker is of Dutch origin and is derived from the Dutch word 'bakker', which means 'baker'. Variations of this surname can include Beeker, Beckers, Bakker, Bekkering, Beker, Bekering, Beckering, Becher, Bacher, Beckerhoff, Bakehoff, and Becks, among others.
In addition to its Dutch roots, the surname Bekker can also be found in various forms and spellings in other countries, such as the United States, Canada, Germany, and England. In the United States, the surname Bekker can be spelled in forms such as Beckker, Backer, and Beckert.
In German, Bekker can be spelled as Becker, Bäcker, Beckers, and Bäckers. In England, variants such as Beeker, Becher, Baker, and Bekering can be found. Lastly, in Canada, the surname Bekker is often seen as Beker, Bakker, Becher, or Becker.
The surname Bekker is a very old, long-standing name in the Netherlands. It is believed to have been in use since as early as the 12th century when the Dutch first adopted the family name system. Today, the surname Bekker is still a common surname in many countries around the world.
Famous people with the name Bekker
- Pierre Bekker: South African footballer
- Hendrik Bekker: South African Reality TV star and entrepreneur
- August Bekker: Prussian general
- Bernd Bekker: German musician and record producer
- Jean Békker: Dutch sailor
- Elizabeth Bekker: Dutch politician
- Pete Bekkers: Dutch comedian
- Ernst Bekker: Danish aristocrat and poet
- Mogomme Benjamin Bekker: Canadian national swimmer
- Joukee Bekker: Dutch opera singer
- Bernhardus Bekker: Dutch theologian and philosopher
- Marius Bekker: Dutch writer and journalist
- Wouter Jochem Bekker: Dutch-Canadian physicist and professor
- Sebastian Bekker: Dutch paraglider
- Albert Bekker: Dutch actor
- Steve Bekkers: Dutch police officer
- Kasper Bekker: Danish football player
- Hendrik Bekker: Dutch author
- Johann Wilhelm Bekker: German classical scholar
- Valerie Bekker: Dutch reality television star