Surname Borngräber - Meaning and Origin
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Borngräber: What does the surname Borngräber mean?
The last name Borngräber is a German surname, which is derived from the Middle High German words ‘born’ and ‘graber’. The word ‘born’ means ‘well’ or ‘spring’ and the word ‘graber’ means ‘trench’ or ‘ditch’. Therefore, preceivably, the name Borngräber translates to something along the lines of ‘one who lives near a well’.
Migration of people bearing the Borngräber last name is believed to have begun in the late middle ages, most probably from areas in Germany with access to sources of water, providing an ideal living environment for these families. The first family is believed to have lived in the 15th century in the region of Bavaria, and subsequently others moved to Brandenburg, Saxony and Rheinhessen.
The name Borngräber is mostly found in Germany and Austria today, though there are some in other countries as well. It’s interesting to note that while some of the earliest bearers of the name settled in the Bavarian region, others migrated to eastern parts of Germany, Poland and even further away to palces such as the United States and Canada.
It appears that the meaning of the name Borngräber has stood the test of time, with its original association with water-rich locations still holding true even today. For example, many variation of the Borngräber family name can still be seen in areas such as the Hesse province in Germany, and even in the other countries where bearers of the name have now settled.
Order DNA origin analysisBorngräber: Where does the name Borngräber come from?
The last name Borngräber is most common in Germany today. According to the German surname Atlas, the Borngräber surname is found primarily in the area of the former German Democratic Republic – mainly in the regions of Thuringia, Saxony-Anhalt, Saxony and Brandenburg.
The name Borngräber (literally, “born grave”) was likely originally used to describe someone who worked as a grave-digger, or a headstone manufacturer. As with many names, its original meaning could be lost over the centuries, and instead, the surname would simply become associated with a particular family or region.
Interestingly, the first recorded Borngräber in German archives is Johann Justus Borngräber from 18th century Eisfeld, located near Erfurt, in Thuringia. He and his descendants — the Borngräber family of Eisfeld — formed the backbone of the Borngräber family in Germany. Even today, the Borngräber name is still concentrated in the same area.
Given its roots in Thuringia, it is likely that Borngräber is an old German name. Other than Germany, there appear to be small numbers of Borngräber living in the United States and Canada. Based on these locations, the Borngräber surname is likely to have spread from Germany into North America with 19th Century German immigrants.
Variations of the surname Borngräber
The variant spellings of Borngräber are Borngraber, Borngraber, Bornigraiber, Börngraiber, Boernigraebler, Bornigraebler, Borngraebler, and Boernigraeber.
The same origin of Borngräber include Borngård, Borngaard, Borngard, Borngårth, Borngaarth, Börngård, Boerning, Borning, Bornag, Boerningh, Boernig, Braam, Braamhaar, Borningh, Bräem, Börning, Bouwman, Bouman, and Bommers.
The origin of these surnames is from German, Dutch, and Scandinavian origins, respectively. The meaning behind Borngräber derives from a combination of the words ‘born’ which means edge, and ‘graber’ which translates to ‘ditch’. Therefore, Borngräber literally means the edge of a ditch, and it was most likely used as an occupational name for someone who worked in a ditch.
The various spellings of the surname represent different language influences, often based around the country the surname originated in. For example, in Germany 'Borngraber' is the most common spelling, while in the Netherlands 'Boernigraebler' is more popular. The Scandinavian and Dutch versions usually use a 'ae' or 'å' symbols to differentiate between a 'o' and 'u' sound, as found in 'Boernigraeber’.
In most countries the surname is found in, it is spelled as 'Borngräber‘, but in some cases like in Scandinavia, the 'ä’ is changed to an 'a’, as it found in the surname 'Borngaard'.
Overall, the variants, spellings, and surnames of Borngräber are often based on the country the surname originated from and the language spoken in that region.
Famous people with the name Borngräber
- Karsten Borngräber: German actor
- Carl Borngräber: German theologian
- Franz Borngräber: German academic
- Friedrich Borngräber: German politician
- August Borngräber: German writer
- Heinz Borngräber: German academic
- Johann Borngräber: German zoologist
- Otto Borngräber: German writer
- Paul/Otto Borngräber: German academic/writer
- Arnold Borngräber: German politician
- Joachim Borngräber: German academic
- Heinrich Borngräber: German author
- Ernst Borngräber: German physicist
- Peter Borngräber: German politician
- Werner Borngräber: German politician
- Hans Borngräber: German academic
- Wilhelm Borngräber: German chemist
- Ludwig Borngräber: German Lutheran theologian
- Wilhelm Ludwig Borngräber: German Benedictine theologian
- Kaspar Borngräber: German composer