Surname Bernstorff - Meaning and Origin

Bernstorff: What does the surname Bernstorff mean?

The last name Bernstorff is of German origin, with the family originating from the area around the town of Bernstorf in Lower Saxony. The surname can be found recorded in various locations throughout Germany.

The literal meaning of the name is derived from the combination of two common German words; “Berg” meaning ‘mountain’ and “Storff” meaning ‘village’, both of which are references to the area of origin for the Bernstorff family.

The Bernstorff family is one of the most prominent and influential noble families in Germany. They rose to prominence in the early 16th century as a result of their connections to the Holy Roman Empire and Electorate of Hanover, where members of the Bernstorff clan held several high-ranking governmental roles.

Today, you can still find members of the Bernstorff family boasting a variety of occupations and titles including secretaries of state, ambassadors, and ministers. Due to their distinguished history and prominent position in society, the Bernstorff name continues to be highly respected and valued amongst their descendants and other noble German families.

Bernstorff: Where does the name Bernstorff come from?

The last name Bernstorff is a German surname that is most common today in Germany, Denmark, and the United States. In Germany, it is estimated that around 650 people are living with the last name Bernstorff, making it a fairly rare name. In Denmark, there are about 600 living people with this surname, although it is an uncommon name there too.

In the United States, the Bernstorff name is slightly more common. There are over 2,000 Americans living with this surname, which is about 0.0008% of the US population. The highest concentrations of the Bernstorff name in the US are found in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and New Jersey. The name can be found in all 50 states, however it is more densely populated around the East Coast and Midwest.

Interestingly, the last name Bernstorff has been used by important figures throughout history, such as Johann Hartwig Ernst Count von Bernstorff, a German diplomat who served as the German ambassador to the United States during WWI. Additionally, a number of members of the Bernstorff family have held important positions within the Danish court, government, and military.

Given its rich history and rarity today, the Bernstorff name is a unique and interesting surname to have.

Variations of the surname Bernstorff

The surname Bernstorff is of German origin and has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. It is typically found in Northern Germany, especially in the state of Schleswig-Holstein.

The most common variations of the surname Bernstorff include Bernstorf, Bernstorff, Bernstorffen, Bernstorffs, Bernströf, Bernströff, and Bernströffen. Other variations that are found less frequently include Barstorff, Bernstroff, Bernstroff, Bernströffel, Bernstup, Bernstumpf, Brnstorff, and Bernstrohff.

The officially recognized spelling of the name in Germany is Bernstorff, but many people have variations of this spelling. For example, French names would be Bernstorf, Dutch surnames are spelled Bernströf, and Italian names are often Bernstup.

Some of the surnames derived from Bernstorff include Beerstorff, Bernstern, Bernstotter, Bernstecker, Bernstecken, Bernsiegel, Bernsberger, Bernsperger, Bernspurger, Bernstorm, Bernstrohm, Bernstraub, and Bernstrosser.

In some cases, the variants of the Bernstorff surname are derived from location rather than family origin. For example, the Bernstrosher surname is derived from the town of Bernstorff, located in Northern Germany. Similarly, the Bernstolzer surname is from the city of Bernstolz in Baden-Württemberg.

Variants of the surname Bernstorff are found throughout the world, from Europe to the United States. In the US, the variations of Bernstorff can be found in many records, especially in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Central Virginia.

Therefore, there are many variations, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Bernstorff. People with Bernstorff as a surname can find many variations of the name throughout the world, from Germany to the US.

Famous people with the name Bernstorff

• Count Johann Hartwig Ernst von Bernstorff: a Danish diplomat best known for his role in the July Crisis that led to the World War I
• Albert Bernstorff: German statesman who served as the Imperial Chamberlain of Emperor Wilhelm II
• Geerhard von Zedlitz und Neukirch, Count von Bernstorff: German military officer and member of a distinguished Prussian noble family
• Jens Otto Krag and Count Christian Danneskiold-Samsøe, Count von Bernstorff: a Danish legislator and Prime Minister focused on social reform
• Count Erich von Bernstorff: the Imperial German ambassador to the United States from 1908 to 1917
• Captain Harry von Bernstorff: a Danish cavalry officer who served in the Franco-Prussian War
• Count Karl-Friedrich Heinrich, Prince von Bernstorff: a member of the German House of Bernstorff that served as Secretary of the Prussian Emperor
• Johann Georg Alexander, Count von Bernstorff: a statesman and Prussian president for life
• Count Stephan Sigismund von Bernstorff: an Austro-German diplomat and statesman
• Rosalie von Bernstorff: German noblewoman, influential in Berlin society in the early 19th century

Other surnames

Bernstorf