Surname Bohnenberg - Meaning and Origin

Bohnenberg: What does the surname Bohnenberg mean?

The last name Bohnenberg is a Germanic surname of noble origin derived from the Old High German “boum,” meaning “a tree” and “berg,” meaning “a mountain.” Thus, it translates literally to “tree-mountain” and would have likely been a descriptive name used to identify those who lived near a mountain covered with trees.

In its earliest usage, this surname is found in 12th century documents located in Northern Germany, specifically in the former kingdom of Prussia. During this period, genealogical records of Bohnenberg families suggest that they were most likely a part of the Prussian nobility, likely due to the prominence of the term throughout noble families of the region. As Prussia later developed into the German Empire, the range of the name began to expand with families settling throughout different parts of the country.

Today, the frequency of the surname varies depending on the region. In Northern Europe, particularly Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, the name is still rather common, although it is now used by people of all social classes. Meanwhile, it is rarer elsewhere, with just a few records being traced throughout the United States, Australia, and other parts of the world.

While the meaning of the name is still evident today, its relevance to the social status of its origin has mostly faded away. Nevertheless, those carrying the Bohnenberg surname can still be proud of its place in Germanic history and its status as a name of noble origin.

Bohnenberg: Where does the name Bohnenberg come from?

The last name Bohnenberg is most commonly found today in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is also occasionally found in some countries that used to belong to the former Soviet Union, such as Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and Lithuania.

The last name Bohnenberg is derived from the German word "bohnen", which means "beans". It is likely that the family was originally a farming family that produced beans.

The first recorded bearer of the surname Bohnenberg was Johann Bohnenberg, who was mentioned in records from Wiesbaden dated 1587. Today, the name is typically a patronymic surname, meaning that it is derived from the father's given name.

In modern times, there are numerous variations on the spelling of the last name Bohnenberg. Common variants include Böhnenberg, Böhnenberger, and Bönnenberg. One popular variation of the name is the Americanized form "Bonenberger".

In addition to Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, the last name Bohnenberg can also be found today in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand as a result of immigration. It is also found in other countries of Europe, as well as in Latin America and South Africa.

Variations of the surname Bohnenberg

The surname Bohnenberg is of German origin. It originated as a place name, derived from the Middle High German word "bune" meaning "beam" or "tree trunk". Variants of the surname Bohnenberg include Bohnenberger, Bohnenberger, Bindenberger, Bohnenborg, Bohnenburg, Bohnenger, Boneringer, and Bunenberg, among others.

Bohnenberger, the most common variant, is a combination of the names 'Bohne' and 'Berger'. It is believed to have originated in South German regions such as Bavaria, Alemannia, and Austria. Bindenberger is another variant that is thought to have arisen in the Middle Ages and can be found in records in the west of Germany.

Bohnenborg is believed to have originated from the former Electoral Palatine city of Neuburg an der Donau. Bohnenburg is another variant found in the Lower Rhine area. Bohnenger is common in the German state of Hesse and also found around the Netherlands. Boneringer, which is derived from the words 'Bone' and 'Berger', is a variant occurring in parts of Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic. Bunenberg is a variant often found in the states of Thuringia, Saxony, and Brandenburg in Germany.

Overall, the most common variant of Bohnenberg is Bohnenberger. It is the surname of German noble families who held land in Silesia around the 16th century. The surname is still found in Germany today.

Famous people with the name Bohnenberg

• Max Bohnenberg: German composer known for his film scores
• Timothy Bohnenberg: American actor best known for his role in the film "Beetlejuice"
• Monika Bohnenberg: German costume designer
• Irmgard Bohnenberg: German professor of plant physiology
• Simon Bohnenberg: German artist and film maker
• Bernd Bohnenberg: German artist and sculptor
• Maximiliam Bohnenberg: German entrepreneur
• Heike Bohnenberg: German theater actress
• Franz-Josef Bohnenberg: German architect
• Klaus Bohnenberg: German business analyst

Other surnames

Bohnenberger