Surname Bornheimer - Meaning and Origin

Bornheimer: What does the surname Bornheimer mean?

The last name Bornheimer is an interesting and unique name that is thought to be German in origin. It is believed to derive from the individual personal name Bernheimer, which is derived from the Germanic root elements 'bern' and 'heim', meaning "brave home". This suggests that the name originally referred to someone who lived bravely in his or her own home.

The earliest trace of the name is found in the historical records of Germanic regions, such as Baden and Bavaria, dating back to the 11th century. Today it is most commonly found in areas of Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

The people associated with the surname Bornheimer place a strong emphasis on family loyalty, hard work and honesty. This has likely been shaped by the rich history that the name represents. People of the Bornheimer family are also known for having a creative and entrepreneurial spirit – something that is still present today.

In the context of today’s society, the last name Bornheimer is a reminder of the importance of community and family. It serves as a powerful reminder that it is possible to live with courage and strength outside of the comfort zone of one's own home. As such, it is a name that provides an inspiring lesson for all of us.

Bornheimer: Where does the name Bornheimer come from?

The Bornheimer surname is most commonly found in Germany today. It derives from the locality of Bornheim, located in the Rhein-Sieg region of the North Rhine-Westphalia province. The name originally referred to someone who was born in the town. The popularity of the name suggests that it has been held by a large number of people in the area for centuries.

Outside Germany, many people with the name Bornheimer can be found in the United States. The first known settler with the surname was Johannes Bornheimer, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1754. Since then, immigrants from Germany have carried the name to many different parts of the country. Today, the most populous states for the name are Pennsylvania, followed by Ohio, New York, Illinois, and Michigan.

Outside of the United States, the surname is common in Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Over time, the spelling has been creative modified to include variants such as Bernheimer, Bernheima, Burnheimer, Bornheima, and Bernhaimer.

Despite the name’s current presence in many countries, it remains most common in its original area of Germany. The name may even be derived from the collective Colloquial name of the Bornheim region, ‘Bornheimer Heide’. This region is still a popular place for relaxation and recreation today.

Variations of the surname Bornheimer

The surname Bornheimer is an occupational name, derived from the German word 'bornheim', which means a place of refuge or a safe place. It is said to have originated from the Bavarian city of Bornheim in Franconia, an area in Germany near the Rhine that was historically populated by Slavic speaking peoples.

The most common variant spellings of the surname Bornheimer include Bornemeyer, Boernheimer, Boernemeyer, Bournehimer, Boornehimer, Bournheimer, Barnheimer and Borenheimer.

Surnames of the same origin might include Bernhard, Baumann, Borst, Baer, Borger, Baum, Beyer, Berger, Boehm, Becker, Bundschu, Boller, Buchner, Dornheim, Dreher, Freismuth, and Greisheimer.

In countries where the German language was widely spoken, such as Austria, Switzerland, and East Prussia, the surnames Bornheimer, Bornemeyer, and Boernheimer were sometimes spelled with a 'V' instead of a 'B'. Variations of the name, such as Bornheimm, Vonbornheim and Vonbornheimer, have also been found.

Due to numerous diaspora migrations and naturalization of immigrants, families with the Bornheimer surname are now found throughout the world. In the United States, surname variants include Barncamer, Boehmer, Bohmier, and Bonheimer – all of which have likely evolved from their original German ancestor.

In the United Kingdom, many families with the name Bornheimer have taken alternative spellings such as Boreham, Bournemers, Burnheim and Burnheimers. There have also been occurrences of the Scottish variant Burnheimes, descended from the incomers of the Germanic tribe known as the Burgundians. Canada is another country where variations such as Borneheimer, Bournheimer, and Baunheimer have been documented.

No matter what the spelling, the Bornheimer family are proud of their unique heritage and are keen to keep their ancestral history alive.

Famous people with the name Bornheimer

• Jonathan Bornheimer: Actor known for his roles in the television series, Greek, A to Z, and Superstore.
• Adam Bornheimer: L.A. based Mask Maker and Puppeteer, sailing the seas with The Pirates of The Caribbean and working with the cast of Glee, as well as other performing arts projects.
• Mike Bornheimer: Former Acting Executive Director of the Harlem-based nonprofit African American Heritage Group.
• Chris Bornheimer: Musician and member of the San Francisco:based rock band, “House of Pain”.
• Max Bornheimer: Character actor in numerous motion pictures and television programs. He is best remembered for playing the professor in the classic 1968 horror film Rosemary's Baby.
• Richard Bornheimer: Actor known for his work in television shows such as Looking and California Dreamin'.
• John S. Bornheimer: American artist, curator, and educator. He is the co-founder of the exhibition space and artist collective, Gallery 1939, in Los Angeles.
• Ulli Bornheimer: German actress, known for her work in television shows such as Lindenstraße and Großstadtrevier.
• Andre Bornheimer: American soccer player for the Seattle Sounders of Major League Soccer.
• Caroline Bornheimer: German computer scientist and professor for planning and organization theory at the Technische Universität Berlin.

Other surnames

Bornheim