Surname Bernlocher - Meaning and Origin

Bernlocher: What does the surname Bernlocher mean?

The last name Bernlocher is a German surname that was originally derived from the place names "Bernwil and Lohr", located in the region of Bernwil near Basel. The Bernlocher family is often associated with the town of Schönstatt in the region of Baden-Württemberg, where the Bernlocher family originated from.

The literal meaning of the surname Bernlocher is a combination of the two German words "Bern" and "Lohr". The former word is derived from the Germanic word "bero" which means "bear". The latter word “Lohr” is derived from the German word “Loh” which means “meadow”. Thus, the surname Bernlocher literally means “bear’s meadow”.

The Bernlocher family is believed to have left the bordering region of what is now Swiss, France and Germany to settle in the northern part of Germany around the 12th century. There is also some evidence that the Bernlocher family may have been related to the ancient Visigoths, a tribe of Germanic settlers.

Today, the Bernlocher name is most commonly associated with Germany, particularly the southwest region of Germany near the Swiss border. Individuals with the last name Bernlocher are commonly found in this region of the world and continue to perpetuate the family’s legacy.

Bernlocher: Where does the name Bernlocher come from?

The last name Bernlocher is most commonly found in the United States today. In the recent US census data from 2019, this surname was recorded to appear in almost every state across the America. The highest concentrations were found in Pennsylvania, followed by Ohio, New York, and California.

Outside of the US, the last name Bernlocher can also be found in parts of Germany, Canada, and Australia. The Bernlocher name is likely linked to the Germanic language, with its roots likely being derived from ‘Bern’ which is the German word for ‘bear’.

The surname is also prominent in the Pennsylvania Dutch tradition, likely due to the fact that Pennsylvania has the most Bernlocher families recorded in the US. The surname has been documented as far back as the mid-1700s in the US, being first recorded in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Overall, the last name Bernlocher is fairly widespread around the world. It is mostly found in the US and other German-speaking nations, but it is not unheard of to see families with this name in other countries such as Canada and Australia.

Variations of the surname Bernlocher

The surname Bernlocher is a German surname derived from Bern, meaning "bear," and locher, meaning "locksmith." Variations of the name include Bernloch, Bernlochner, Bernlocker, and Bernloker, as well as other spellings. In early records of the name, spelling is often inconsistent.

Surnames from the same origin include Bernhard, Bernhardt, Bernmantel, Berndl, and Bernhardt. The name Bern became a surname as early at the 12th century in Germany. Bernhard became most widespread in German-speaking areas, with other variations arising from it over time. It was often combined with occupational titles at the time, such as Locke, Berndl, and Bernmantel, to form surnames such as Bernloch and Bernlocker.

It is also possible that some families bearing the Bernlocher surname share an entirely separate origin. For example, Bebernicher or Abernicher is derived from the Yiddish abbreviation of the Hebrew name Avraham. Other surnames such as Bertnech and Bertner might possibly be formed from the German word for "bright," berht or bert.

Over time, some families may have adopted the Bernlocher surname in order to blend in with the German-speaking population. To ascertain the true origin of the name, more research into the individual family history would be necessary.

Famous people with the name Bernlocher

• Cheryl Bernlocher: Cheryl is a Grammy-nominated producer and vocalist who has collaborated with a wide variety of artists, from the musical Annie to Family Force 5. She is also a successful voice-over artist, having worked on numerous video games, cartoons and advertisements.
• Joshua Bernlocher: Joshua is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who blends elements of contemporary folk, classical and jazz to create unique sonic landscapes. He has collaborated with artists such as Lyle Lovett, David Bromberg and Burt Bacharach.
• Shawn Bernlocher: Shawn is an author and artist whose work has been featured in many publications, including the New York Times and New Yorker magazine. He is also a gifted collage-maker who uses found materials to create visually stunning works of art.
• Thomas Bernlocher: Thomas is a multi-instrumentalist, composer and conductor who has written and performed numerous works for orchestra, chamber music and jazz. He has also written many original works for TV and film, including pieces for the Disney Channel.
• Wayne Bernlocher: Wayne is a renowned astronaut who has flown many missions in space and holds the record for the longest space flight ever completed by an American. He is a decorated veteran having served in both the United States Air Force and the Navy.

Other surnames

Bernlochner