Surname Böhme - Meaning and Origin

Unveiling the Significance of my Lineage: How the iGENEA DNA Test Deepened my Understanding of the Böhme Surname and Family Heritage

When I embarked on the enlightening journey of tracing my lineage, I had little idea the depth of history I was about to unveil and how dramatically it would shape my identity. The iGENEA DNA test not only shed light on my ancestors' past but also enriched my understanding of my Böhme family roots.

P. Böhme

Böhme: What does the surname Böhme mean?

The last name Böhme is a German and Dutch surname that has origins in Old German. It derives from the word "bohm" which means "dweller on the land", indicating that the owner of the name once held a certain amount of land or was a farmer. The earliest records of the surname come from the Middle Ages and were first recorded in 1260, in the area now known as Lower Saxony in northern Germany.

The name Böhme is said to be derived from both the Gothic "bōhaimōn" and the Wends Gothic "bógmon" which mean "servant of God" and the Latin "boēmus" which means "mournful". This suggests that the original holders of the name were religious people, either monks or preachers.

Often, the surname Böhme would be extended and combined with other words, such as "lahme" which meant "lamb" or "hund" which meant "dog", to create patronymic names and geographic surnames. Over time, the spelling of Böhme changed due to regional dialects and variations in the German and Dutch language. Today it is a common surname in Germany and the Netherlands, as well as surrounding countries such as Denmark, Sweden, and the Czech Republic.

Böhme: Where does the name Böhme come from?

The last name Böhme is most common in countries such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is a common German surname deriving from the Middle Low German for “citizen,” and “worker.” Interestingly, in some countries, Böhme is one of the most common surnames, making it among the 100 most popular surnames nationwide. For example, in Austria, Böhme is the fifth most common surname.

In Germany meanwhile, Böhme is the 16th most common surname. In Switzerland, Böhme is the 42nd most common surname. Other countries with a high population of Böhme include the Czech Republic and Slovakia, where it is found among the top 100 surnames.

Today, Böhme is quite common throughout Europe and in countries around the world that have a large diaspora from Europe. In the United States, the Böhme surname is not found among the top 1,000 surnames, but is present in many states throughout the country, particularly in New York, California, New Jersey, Washington, and Pennsylvania. Other countries with a sizable population of people with the last name Böhme include Canada, Mexico, and Brazil.

Variations of the surname Böhme

The surname Böhme is derived from the Germanic surname bailiff, which was used as a professional title. The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Böhme include Bohm, Bohmler, Bohmane, Bobe, Boem, Boemann, Bohemer, Boehme, Boehmer, Boemeler, Boemler, Boehm, Boehme, Boehmert, Boehml, Boehn, Bohme, Bohmele, Bohmers, Bohml, Bohne, Bohmler, Böhm, Böhmel, Böhmler, Böhn, Böhme, Böhmer, and Böhmert.

The earliest known record of the surname Böhme dates back to the year 1360, in the parish of Ittersbach, Neutstadt, Germany. In the Middle Ages, noble families of the German-speaking lands employed professional bailiffs, who were responsible for collecting taxes and managing legal matters. By the 15th century, these professionals had become known as the Böhme family, and the name had become established as a surname.

The spread of the surname Böhme and its variants can be traced throughout Europe over the centuries. In the early 20th century, many members of the Böhme family immigrated to the United States and Canada, and the surname can now be found in most countries around the world.

In Germany, the Böhme surname is one of the most common, with around 9,000 people carrying the surname. In the United States, it is the 172nd most common surname, and in Canada, it ranks 20th in popularity.

Famous people with the name Böhme

• Jakob Böhme (1575–1624): German philosopher who wrote extensively about religious mysticism and matters of faith.
• Johann Georg Böhme (1723–1788): German writer who is best known for his substantial contributions to German literature.
• Wilhelm Böhme (1840–1921): German botanist who published several volumes of botanical descriptions.
• Ernst Böhme (1877–1947): German artist whose work appears in a variety of mediums, including wood engravings, oil paintings, ceramic tiles, and etchings.
• Arthur Böhme (1879–1959): German botanist who was a noted specialist in plant phylogeny.
• Wolfgang Böhme (1902–1997): German art historian who wrote extensively about Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance painting and sculpture.
• Karl Böhme (1905–1987): German theologian who wrote important volumes on the history of early Christianity.
• Agathe von Böhme (1907–1988): German singer and music pedagogue, known for her vocal performances and teaching.
• Zarah Leander (1907–1981): Swedish singer and actress, born as Zarah Johanna Sofia Böhme in Karlstad.
• Hedwig Böhme (1908–1993): German writer and dramatist who wrote both fiction and non-fiction.
• Alfred Böhme (1909–2005): Austrian actor, director, and theater scholar who wrote extensively on the history of the stage.
• Rita Böhme (1912–1982): German female soccer player who was one of the pioneers of the women's sport.
• Max Böhme (1917–1999): German writer whose works reflect the sorrows of his time and often deal with the German experience of displacement.
• Wolfgang Böhme (1917–1998): German composer known for his electrifying and captivating arrangements of operas and symphonies.
• Andreas Böhme (1933–2019): German actor and film director who carved a niche for himself in the German entertainment industry.
• Eckart Böhme (1949–): German saxophonist and flutist, best known for his work with the experimental jazz ensemble, “Neue Welten”.
• Frank Böhme (1975–): German discus thrower, who won gold medals in the European Championship, World Cup, and Paralympic Games.

Other surnames

BöhmeckeBohmerBöhmerBöhmerlBöhmerleBöhmermannBohmert