Surname Berns - Meaning and Origin
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Berns: What does the surname Berns mean?
The surname Berns is of German origin and is derived from the name of the city of Bern, the capital of Switzerland. It is a geographical surname that was often given to those who came from Bern or lived there. In Middle High German, "Bern" means "bear", referencing the bear symbol of the city. It's a patronymic surname, meaning that it's based on the name of a male ancestor, commonly the father. In this case, it could have been given to someone who was a son of a man named Bern. Over time, this patronym became a permanent family name passed down from generation to generation.
Order DNA origin analysisBerns: Where does the name Berns come from?
The surname Berns is of German origin, derived from the personal name Bernhard that means 'brave as a bear'. The spelling variations like Bernstein, Berns, Bert, Bernsting, Bernsdorf, and Bernsen all count towards its usage statistics. It is a patronymic surname, indicating it was originally meant to identify the son of Bernhard.
In its original country Germany, Berns is particularly concentrated in the west part of the country and the Rhine basin. However, due to multiple waves of German immigration to the United States in the 19th and 20th centuries, you can find significant numbers of people with the Berns surname in the U.S today. The name is most prevalent in the states of Illinois, Iowa, and Pennsylvania. Outside of these nations, it is less common in other parts of the world. Nevertheless, due to global migration patterns over the past century, it can likely be found to a lesser extent in many countries where German immigrants settled, including Canada, Argentina, Brazil, and Australia.
Variations of the surname Berns
The surname Berns has various variants, spellings, and associated surnames that share its origin. It has been Americanized, originating from German, Jewish (Ashkenazic), or Dutch surnames such as Bern, Berne, Berni, or Bernie. This surname could be derived from the Middle High German "bër(e)ne", which means bear.
In the Netherlands, the surname becomes Van Bern or Van der Bern. Another variant could be Berens, resulting from the addition of the patronymic suffix "-s" indicating "son of Bern."
In Sweden, the surname changes to Bjorn or Bjarn, while in Denmark or Norway it becomes Bjørn. In some Scandinavian countries, the spelling could also be Bernsson, Bernsen, or Bernson, indicating a paternal lineage from a person named Bern.
In Eastern European countries, it can be seen as Bernski or Bernsky, while being Bernstein in Jewish lineage. Other variant spellings include Burns, Barns, Barends, Beirne, or Bernstien. It's important to note that while these names sound alike, their etymological origins may differ.
Each variant has differences derived from the region, language, and personal preference. But, they all trace back to the same root, creating a rich lineage for the Berns surname.
Famous people with the name Berns
- Bernd Berns: Bernd Berns is a German physicist and professor emeritus at the University of Munich. He is best known for his research on laser physics, optoelectronics, and optical information technology.
- Marcia Berns: Marcia Berns is a New York-based former jazz singer and contemporary music composer. She was the lead singer of the Chico Hamilton Quintet, and she has released two solo albums.
- Paul Berns: Paul Berns was a German film and television director. He was an influential figure in post-World War II German television, directing more than 50 films, some of which aired internationally.
- Fritz Berns: Fritz Berns was a German film and television producer and director. He is best known for producing the classic 1959 musical film, "The Seven Ravens".
- Miguel Berns: Miguel Berns is a Spanish actor, director, and writer. He is best known for starring in the series, "The Eighth Day", which aired from 2011–2017 in Spain.
- Michael Berns: Michael Berns is an American playwright and composer. He wrote the musical, "Starmites", which was nominated for a Tony Award in 1990.
- Dietrich Berns: Dietrich Berns is a German theater and film actor. He has appeared in several films, including 1990's "The Nasty Girl" and 1997's "Absolute Giganten".
- Chelsey Berns: Chelsey Berns is an American actress and singer. She is best known for her roles on the television series "Glee" and "The Suite Life on Deck".
- Roy Berns: Roy Berns was an American artist known for his paintings of abstract urban landscapes. He was recognized with a Lifetime Achievement award by the Academy of Arts in 2014.
- Manuela Berns: Manuela Berns is a Swiss writer and editor. She is the author of several children's books, including the popular "I Want to be Like Einstein".