Surname Birker - Meaning and Origin
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Birker: What does the surname Birker mean?
The surname Birker is German in origin and is derived from the Old High German term “bircan” meaning "to chunk, to bite." It is likely derived from a nickname for a harsh or biting individual. The surname likely began as a nickname for a person who was particularly biting in their wit or speech, someone who spoke harshly or said potentially cutting things.
This nickname may have also come from a profession or activity, such as a leatherworker in Old Germanic times who had a specialized tool for cutting leather and could apply it with particular sharpness. Alternatively, it could have been derived from a hunter who was particularly accurate or skillful in shooting his prey, making exact "bites" on his targets.
The surname Birker is found throughout Germany and in other areas of Central Europe and is found throughout Scandinavia. It spread with Germanic and Norse migrations throughout the early Middle Ages, especially during the height of the Viking age. The surname is still found today in many areas of Central and Northern Europe. The surname is predominantly a German-speaking surname, so it is found in various areas of Austria, Switzerland, and the German-speaking regions of Belgium, Denmark, and the Netherlands.
Order DNA origin analysisBirker: Where does the name Birker come from?
The last name Birker is most commonly found in Germany, particularly in North Rhine-Westphalia, where it is the 383rd most popular surname. It is also found in smaller numbers in other parts of Europe, including the Netherlands, Sweden, and Austria.
Birker is a German surname which is derived from the Old High German "bercher," meaning "blacksmith." It likely began as an occupational name for someone who worked with metal. Records of the surname date back to 1572 in South Germany, and by the 18th century, it had spread throughout much of the region.
Birker is uncommon outside Europe, but it is also found in the states of New York, New Jersey, California, and New Mexico. This may be due to descendants of Germans and other Europeans who immigrated to the United States throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries.
The surname is still relatively uncommon, but it is likely to grow as more families with the Birker surname move abroad.
Variations of the surname Birker
The surname Birker has originated from the Old Norse given name, Biorke. It is mainly used as a patronymic surname in many English-speaking countries, such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Australia. Variants, spellings, and other surnames of the same origin include Bierker, Birkir, Birckare, Berker, Birky, Birke, Birky, Bircer, Birck, Birkies and Birkman.
The surname Birker is earliest recorded in the 1100s in Europe where it was a title given to a person who was an important landowner, and is found in Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark. The word 'birk' is an Old Norse term which means 'birch', a type of tree, and suggests the landowner or farmer in question owned a large amount of woodland and so owned forest-farmers or kept a large flock of sheep or cattle.
The spelling of the surname has changed over the centuries, as it has been variously spelt 'Birkere', 'Berkere', 'Bircker', 'Bercer', 'Byrcker', 'Birke', 'Burke', 'Berkes', 'Byrkes', 'Byrkson', 'Birkason' and 'Berkson'. All of these variations are essentially the same and refer to a person with the same ancestral roots.
The surname Birker is not very common and is quite restricted to countries of English-speaking origin. Today, the surname is often found among people with Scandinavian ancestry, including those with ancestral roots in Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark.
Famous people with the name Birker
- Tor Erik Birkelund: Norwegian former footballer.
- Tore Birkelund: Norwegian cultural historian and literary critic.
- John Birker: American professional basketball player.
- Andreas Birker: German novelist and former actor.
- Ole Birker: Norwegian ski jumper.
- Rune E Birker: Norwegian football manager.
- Lars Birk: Canadian classical guitarist.
- Sonja Birker: Norwegian housewife, best known as the Great Aunt of Robert Meyer.
- Nathan Birker: American librarian and author.
- Jack Birker: American professional golfer.
- Eunice Birker: German journalist and cultural critic.
- Liz Birker: British author, illustrator, and glass artist.
- Sidney Birker: American film producer and director.
- Jacob Birker: Belgian sculptor and painter.
- Tom Birker: American academic and author.
- Leif Birker: Norwegian bass player best known for his work with the progressive rock bands Änglagård and White Willow.
- Kirsten Birker: Norwegian mathematician and computer scientist.
- David Birker: British scholar and professor at the University of East Anglia.
- Martina Birker: German professional footballer.
- Aina Birker: Norwegian orienteering competitor.