Surname Bleheen - Meaning and Origin
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Bleheen: What does the surname Bleheen mean?
The last name Bleheen is of Irish origin. The name comes from the Gaelic word “O' Blaithin” which means “small flower”. The name has been found in records as early as the late sixteenth century in Ireland and Scotland, suggesting that the Bleheen family originally arrived to the two nations during the wave of Irish migration in the 1600s.
The Bleheens were a clan of merchants and traders, likely having a prominent presence in both Scotland and Ireland prior to the Great Famine. They generally occupied coastal areas and were known for their skill in handling boats and ships. The Bleheens were renowned for their wealth and credibility, often owning taverns, inns, and other places of hopitality or business.
The Bleheens have spread throughout the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States, and even to Canada. The name remains common in places with large Irish populations, including Canada. The changes in spelling has changed over time, with variations observed including "Blehin" and "Bleehane".
The Bleheen name today holds a significance of hospitality, industry, and a unique cultural backstory. It represents the arrival of the Irish to the British Isles centuries ago, and still carries the importance of a proud and admirable bloodline.
Order DNA origin analysisBleheen: Where does the name Bleheen come from?
The last name Bleheen is most commonly found in the Netherlands and Belgium, with the two countries sharing a similar history of immigration, settlement, and population. In the Netherlands the most common variant of Bleheen is Blijen, with the Bleheen spelling reflecting old Dutch spelling conventions which have since changed – the modern spelling is Blijen. In Belgium, the spelling is Bleyen. The most concentrated concentration of surnames in the Netherland is the Province of North Brabant, but the name is also fairly common throughout the Netherlands as a whole. In Belgium the most concentrated concentrations are the provinces of Antwerp, East Flanders, West Flanders, and Liege.
In the United States, Bleheen was once much more common but has dwindled since the 1800s. The highest level of concentration is in the Northeastern United States, with New York and Pennsylvania having the most Bleheen surnames. Outside of the Northeastern United States, the Midwest and California both have concentrations of the name, albeit much lower than in Europe.
Given its long history in Europe, it's likely that the last name Bleheen will continue to be present around the world for many years to come.
Variations of the surname Bleheen
The surname Bleheen is uncommon and has numerous variants, spellings and surnames of similar origins.
Bleheen is a variant of the German surname Boehme, which is derived from medieval personal names beginning with the Germanic element “bogu”, meaning “to be bold and strong”. Other spellings for Bleheen include Boehme, Beheme, Boehime, Böhme, and Boehmin. Other surnames that share the same origin include Bohme, Beheme, Bohm, Bom, Beham, Beheim, and Bühme.
In some cases, the original Boehme family from Germany moved to other countries, making the name more common. One example is the United Kingdom. Here, you'll find the spelling Beheen appearing in England, and Bleheen variously spelled in Wales.
In America, the name Boehme has been adopted in increasing numbers since the mid-19th century, albeit with spelling variations such as Boehem, Bonne, Bohm, Bauhm, Boem, and Buhme. The most common version of the name in the United States is Buhm.
The Bleheen surname is augmented by the numerous variants, spellings and surnames of similar origin. This large and varied family of names ensures that the Boehme legacy and identity continue to live on.
Famous people with the name Bleheen
- General Martin Dempsey: the eighteenth Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for the United States Armed Forces.
- Alvin Bleheen: a former professional American football player.
- Heidi Bleheen: the first USA Volleyball Player to get three Olympic gold medals.
- Dolph Bleheen: a musician, singer and music producer from Germany.
- Michael Bleheen: an American actor, novelist, and director who acted in films such as The Godfather and The Last Picture Show.
- Dean Bleheen: a former American basketball player.
- Baron Bleheen: a French aristocrat known for his involvement in the French Revolution.
- JT Bleheen: an American video game producer and author.
- Stephen Bleheen: an American scientist and professor who researched an immunology and pathology at USC.
- Rose Bleheen: a Canadian jazz musician and radio presenter.