Surname Böhnlein - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'B'
Böhnlein: What does the surname Böhnlein mean?
Böhnlein is an interesting and unique surname with German roots. It is usually pronounced "Bayn-line", and is part of the German-language family of surnames that descended from a word for a type of stew or bundle of hay. It is thought that the original surname bearer was someone who was born or lived in a place where such stews were cooked.
The surname itself is taken from the German words "bohm" meaning "stew" and "lein" meaning "little bundle". This likely comes from an old German custom of making a small bundle of hay or straw that was used to add flavor to stews.
Today, the surname Böhnlein is most common in German-speaking regions of Europe, though it is also found in countries such as the United States, Canada, and Brazil. The name is currently held by approximately 2,000 people worldwide, with the highest concentration residing in Germany.
In today's world, the surname Böhnlein stands for a family that is linked to the past, represents an interesting heritage, and is unique in its origins. It functions to connect people from far-reaching places and links individuals to a unique and fascinating story.
Order DNA origin analysisBöhnlein: Where does the name Böhnlein come from?
The last name Böhnlein is most common today in the former regions of the German Empire, specifically in the south and southwest of Germany, and most specifically in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg.
In Bavaria, cities and towns like Munich, Augsburg, Fürth, and Nuremberg, and towns closer to the Swiss border like Bopfingen, Laichingen, and Helfenstein all have communities with the last name Böhnlein. Furthermore, it could even be found in the old imperial capital, Vienna in present-day Austria, where the once Bavarian dialect of the Böhnlein family is still spoken.
Outside Germany, the Böhnlein name can still be found in some places in the United States, where some descendants of German immigrants use the name. Those communities are located mainly in Texas, Pennsylvania, and New York, while smaller pockets of people can be found in other states.
The online genealogy databases do not indicate that the last name is found in large numbers outside of Germany, though it is certainly possible that there could be people connected to the name scattered across the world in other countries where German emigrants have settled.
In all, the last name Böhnlein can be found in some form or another across the world, but its most common use currently is in German speaking areas.
Variations of the surname Böhnlein
The surname Böhnlein can be spelled and abbreviated in a number of ways. Depending on the time period and corresponding language dialect, surnames may have undergone slight variations in spelling even between siblings. Common spellings of Böhnlein include Bohne, Bohn, Böhn, Böhnlein, Bohnelein, Bohnlein, Bönlein, Bohnling, Bohling, Böhling, Boehling, and Böhnel.
The abbreviation "Boehl" is also frequently used when referring to the surname. Most of these surnames stem from the Low German word "Bun(d)lein," which meant 'small' or 'petty.' This is where the surname Böhnlein comes from as a diminutive derivation meaning 'petty little man;' a nickname likely assigned to the first individual to bear the surname.
The various spellings of Böhnlein can also be found in other cultures across Europe, such as Austria, Spain, and Hungary, under other surnames. In Austria, for example, the surname can be found under the variants Borngräber or Borngraeber, and Behl in Germany. In Spain, the surname is known as Bönen or Böning, and in Hungary, it is known as Bönyi.
In addition, similar surnames derived from the same source of origin can sometimes be found as well. They include Boen, Boon, Boening, and Boning. All of these variants derived from the same nickname and share a common ancestor.
Famous people with the name Böhnlein
- Franz Böhnlein, renowned German WWI Fighter Pilot.
- Thomas Böhnlein, contemporary German actor known for his roles in Tatort and Das Boot.
- Nils Böhnlein, pioneering entomologist and pediatrician
- Heike Böhnlein, German retired track and field athlete who competed mainly in the 800.
- Hans-Wolfgang Böhnlein, German physicist and laboratory director.
- Felix Böhnlein, German Episcopal Priest and theologian of the 19th century.
- Erwin Böhnlein, lead producer of the German television series Das Boot.
- Karl Böhnlein, professor of economics at the University of Mannheim in the early 20th century.
- Helmut Böhnlein, contemporary German chemist and Director of the Institute for Chemical Technology at the University of Stuttgart.
- Julia Böhnlein, professional German dressage horse rider.