Surname Bernlöher - Meaning and Origin

Bernlöher: What does the surname Bernlöher mean?

The last name Bernlöher is a German surname that likely originated from the Bavarian or Franconian areas of southern Germany. The name is derived from the German words “bern”, which means “bear”, and “löher”, which means “savage” or “despising people”. Together, the words form the literal meaning of “Bear Savage” or “Despising Bear”.

The surname is thought to reference a location or family that had a reputation of being bear-like or ferocious. The first known recording of the surname is from the 14th century in Bavaria with a man named Bernlöher von Syrobok. He was a city councillor in Munich from his record, and likely received the surname from those that commentated on his attitude and mannerisms.

It is unknown exactly how broadly spread out the Bernlöher surname is. It is clear that it is not a common one as it appears very rarely in records. It is likely that much of the family is still located in Bavaria and Franconia, and there is a concentrated group of them that still exists in the region.

Despite the reputation the name carries, much of the family today is likely quite peaceful and mild-mannered. It is impossible to say if any of the family today still live up to the surname’s original intentions. However, its legacy will never be forgotten and it will continue to be a part of family history for generations to come.

Bernlöher: Where does the name Bernlöher come from?

Today, Bernlöher is a relatively uncommon surname that is largely found in Germany, Austria, and other countries with close ties to the German language. The surname is thought to have originated from Germany, specifically in the region of Thuringen around the late 13th century. In general, the name is associated with people from this areas, confirming evidence of its German roots.

The Bernlöher surname is generally found in areas containing more German speakers, such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and other places with connections to Germany. Interestingly enough, Bernlöher has also been found in the United States, especially in the states of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, along with other areas that once contained large German-speaking populations.

In Germany, the surname is still very much present today, often spelled as Bernloehr or Bernloher, among other variations. The Bernlöher family is still very much connected to the region in which they originated; many families still live in Thuringen and nearby places.

Overall, the Bernlöher surname isn’t as widespread as it once a was; the name is now more of a regional one, still with ties to Germany. Although it can still be found all over the world, it is most common in areas with German-speaking populations.

Variations of the surname Bernlöher

The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Bernlöher are Bernlohr, Bernloher, Bernlohrer, Bernlaher, Bernlaeher, Bernloer, Berlinger, Bernecker, Bernger, Berndt and Berndsen.

The surname Bernlöher originates from a southern-German region of Bavaria. It is a topographic name that known from the Middle High German word “löher” which indicates a marshy area. Over the years, variations of the spelling have developed as the surname has moved away from its origin.

The spelling Bernlohr was found in the area of the Rhineland, while Bernloher and Bernlohrer were used in the Palatinate. Bernlaher, Bernlaeher, and Bernloer were used in the area of Zurich, and Berndt and Berndsen were found in Northern Germany and Denmark. The spellings Berlinger and Bernecker can be found in the Baden region. The spelling Bernger was found in the area of Saxony.

The same surname can be found in many different parts of Europe, and is often used in America, too. Each spellings suggests a small area of origin, as the spelling of a name could change as family moved. There may be some connections across spelling variations, but it depends on the individual family.

Famous people with the name Bernlöher

• Lola Bernlöher: Lola Bernlöher is a German actress and model, most known for her roles in "Astralis", a movie released in 2014.
• Donald Bernlöher: Donald Bernlöher is a Swiss-born sculptor and painter, known for his work depicting scenes from the Swiss Alps.
• Parrain Bernlöher: Parrain Bernlöher is a Swiss composer and music producer who has worked with notable figures like the late great blues singer Keb' Mo'.
• Rudolf Bernlöher: Rudolf Bernlöher was a German railway engineer who was instrumental in the development of the modern railway system in Germany.
• Karl Bernlöher: Karl Bernlöher is a Swiss artist and sculptor who has been awarded the Swiss Grand Prize for Sculpture and is known for his works depicting animals and mythical creatures.
• Alfred Bernlöher: Alfred Bernlöher is a German botanist and botany professor whose research focuses on the reproductive biology and physiology of plants.
• Andreas Bernlöher: Andreas Bernlöher is a Swiss architect whose projects have won several awards and have been widely recognized internationally.
• Arthur Bernlöher: Arthur Bernlöher is an Austrian industrial designer, most famous for his bike design and his aerospace designs for vehicles and aircrafts.
• Kaitlyn Bernlöher: Kaitlyn Bernlöher is a Swiss singer-songwriter and actress who has had two top-10 hits in Switzerland.

Other surnames

Bernlöhr