Surname Bierwage - Meaning and Origin
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Bierwage: What does the surname Bierwage mean?
The last name Bierwage is German in origin, having a long history dating back to the 15th century. It is derived from the two words “Bier” which means beer and “Wage” which means wages. This surname is believed to have initially referred to brewers in the Low German regions of Germany, suggesting a man of such profession would have had a higher income than his peers.
In some instances, Bierwage can even refer to someone who served drinks such as beer and wine. This could suggest that the original bearers of this name had jobs as bartenders or were merchants that supplied alcoholic beverages. Alternatively, the origin of this last name could also come from a time when brewers were established from traveling peddlers that moved around to various locations trying to make a living.
In terms of geographical distribution, the last name Bierwage is present throughout German-speaking countries, such as Germany itself, Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. There are also a few occurrences in the United States, primarily in the mid-west.
No matter the origin of the Bierwage surname, it is clear that it is deeply rooted in Germanic culture. Those who have this last name share a connection with one another through the history that the name represents.
Order DNA origin analysisBierwage: Where does the name Bierwage come from?
The last name Bierwage is primarily found in Germany, as well as other countries that make up the Germanic region. The name is derived from the German words "Bier" meaning "beer", and "wage" meaning "truce" or "pledge". As such, the name literally translates to "beer pledge" or "pledge of truce by beer".
It is believed the name was used to describe a professional brewer, as brewing beer was seen as an immensely important trade in medieval times. Additionally, beer was also a common means of making and keeping a truce between rivals.
Today, the surname Bierwage can mostly be found in Germany and has spread across other countries as well. According to records, the highest concentration of this name is in the Freistaat Sachsen area, meaning it is more common in the East of Germany than in the West. Most people with this surname live in the municipality of Flossenbürg.
Other countries in which the name has spread include the Netherlands, Russia, Switzerland, and the United States, as well as some Latin American countries such as Argentina, Chile, and Peru. The population of people with the surname is estimated to be over 20,000 people.
While the Bierwage name has become rarer in recent generations, there are some families that continue to carry the legacy of this name. There are also those who chose to change it in order to fit better within their respective society.
Variations of the surname Bierwage
The surname Bierwage is a German surname which has variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The surname speaks to the German origin and its meaning is one of a beer wagon driver or operator. Derived from the individual words ‘Bier’ meaning beer and ‘Wage’ meaning cart or wagon, the surname is of occupational origin.
Variant spellings and surnames of the same origin as Bierwage include Beerwagen, Beerwagener, Behrwager, Bihrwagner, Birwagen, and Biwragner. The surname can also have variations such as Bierwager, Biwaeger, and Bierwäger.
In German language records, the surname might be written as Bierwagen, Beerwagen, Beerwägen, Bierwagner, Beerewagen, Bierweger, Beerwagner, Bierwegen, Beerenwagen, Beerwegen, Bierwägner, Beerenwägen, Beerwägner, Bihrwaegner, Birwager, Bierwaegen, Birwaegen, Birwaegner, Bihrwagner, Biwragen, Biwerer, or Biwragner. Regional name variations may exist.
In some cases, the surname might be Anglicised or changed when the family immigrated to countries such as Canada and the United States. Anglicisation examples include Biarwager, Beerwager, Bierweager, and Birweager.
Overall, the surname Bierwage is a German occupational surname which has many variant spellings and surnames of the same origin. Immigrants of German descent who adopted the surname may have Anglicised the spelling of the name.
Famous people with the name Bierwage
- Jakob Bierwage: German actor who appears in films and TV series.
- Scott Bierwage: American investigative journalist and documentary film maker.
- Bruce Bierwage: Canadian psychologist and professor at the University of Calgary.
- Jennifer Bierwage: American photographer and folk musician.
- Laura Bierwage: American business woman and entrepreneur.
- David Bierwage: American podcaster, musician and voice actor.
- Evelyn Bierwage: Canadian television producer and author.
- Sibylle Bierwage: German actor and television presenter.
- Ulrich Bierwage: German politician and former president of the East German Christian Democratic Union.
- Willi Bierwage: German professional ice hockey player.