Surname Bernward - Meaning and Origin
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Bernward: What does the surname Bernward mean?
The last name Bernward is believed to be derived from the Old Germanic name Berhnold, which means “guardian of the bear”. It is thought to have been first used as a patronymic surname, with descendants of Berhnold taking on the name Bernward.
Alternatively, the etymology of the surname may be derived from the German word brinnen, “to pull” or “to tug”, plus the word wjartin, which means “watchman” or “guardian”. This would result in Bernward meaning “watchman of the tug or pull”.
The name Bernward is found in many countries, such as Germany, Switzerland, Austria, the Netherlands, and the United States. In modern times, people with the surname Bernward may be found in various professions, such as government, business, medicine, engineering, and the sciences.
The name Bernward is often associated with various aspects of German culture, including the Nordic mythology of Bernward of Hildesheim, a 12th-century German bishop. This individual is credited with creating one of the first illuminated manuscripts in Germany, which is now part of the treasure of the Hildesheim Cathedral.
Today, the surname Bernward continues to be carried by people around the world, and typically denotes someone of German heritage. It is a powerful reminder of the legacy of this old Germanic name, and of the accomplishments made by those who bear it.
Order DNA origin analysisBernward: Where does the name Bernward come from?
The last name Bernward is most commonly found in Germany today. It is believed to have first appeared in Bavaria during the Middle Ages. This surname is of German origin and is derived from the given name Bernward, which was formed by combining the elements “beraht” (bright) and “ward” (guardian).
The Bernward surname was also found in Switzerland, Austria, and Poland in the 18th century. It is most prolific in Germany today, with a large concentration of the name in the northern regions. Around 2,000 families bear the Bernward surname in Germany, with some families having migrated to other countries like the United States and Canada.
In America, the Bernward name is considered uncommon and can most frequently be found in Pennsylvania, Indiana, Maryland, and other surrounding states. Individuals with the Bernward surname are thought to have descended from German immigrants who came to America in the 18th or 19th centuries.
Overall, the Bernward surname is most common in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In the United States, however, it is considered to be rare and is mainly concentrated in the states of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Indiana, and their surrounding regions.
Variations of the surname Bernward
The surname Bernward has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Variants include Bernwarde, Bernwerd, Barnard, Barnhard, Barnhardt, Bernhard, Bernhardt, and Bernard.
Bernhard is the oldest variant of this surname and dates back to the 9th century, when it was first recorded in the German empire. This variant is a combination of two words, 'bern', meaning 'bear', and 'hard', meaning 'valiant'.
Bernhardt is the second most popular variant of this surname, and it appeared in recorded form in 16th century Germany. This variant has a slightly different meaning than the original surname. Rather than being made up of two words, 'bern' and 'hard', this version is made up of three, 'ber', 'nar', and 't', which together mean 'brave as a bear'.
Barnard is a variant that is derived from the Old French word 'bernart'. This word is a combination of 'bern', meaning 'bear', and 'hard', meaning 'valor'. It was first used to refer to someone who displayed vinegar bravery in battle.
Barnhard and Barnhardt are variants that are derived from the Old Germanic 'Barnhard'. This name is a combination of 'arn', meaning 'eagle', and 'hard', meaning 'valor'. It was first used to describe a strong and courageous individual.
Finally, Bernard is the variant most commonly used in the English-speaking world. This spelling was first recorded in the 12th century and is thought to be a combination of 'bear' and 'valiant'.
No matter which variant of this surname is used, they all share the same origin and meaning - brave as a bear or valiant as an eagle.
Famous people with the name Bernward
- Bernward von Hildesheim: a medieval German prelate, historian, and author who served as Bishop of Hildesheim from 1022 until his death in 1022.
- Sven Bernward: a German reality television personality and restaurant owner who rose to fame on the show "Welcome to Sven's restaurant".
- Herman Bernward: a German composer known for his involved compositions in the styles of Baroque and Classical.
- Joachim Bernward: a German sculptor from the early twentieth century, best known for his works incorporating traditional religious themes with modern sculpture.
- Kevin Bernward: a German track and field athlete who competed in the decathlon event for the German Athletics team.
- Philip Bernward: a German early modern artist, draftsman, and print maker who focused his works on the Old Testament.
- Thomas Bernward: a German contemporary artist best known for his surrealist and abstract works.
- Christian Bernward: a German artist and art professor who founded the Institute of Visual Communication at the Academy of Media Arts Cologne.
- Friedrich Bernward: a German composer and organist in the 18th century, renowned for being an "organ innovator" during the era.
- Andreas Bernward: a German director and actor who has directed some of Germany's most critically acclaimed films.