Surname Bornscheid - Meaning and Origin
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Bornscheid: What does the surname Bornscheid mean?
The last name Bornscheid is derived from a combination of two German words - börne (for "field"), and scheid (for "border"). The origins of this surname can be traced back to parts of the states of Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Bavaria in Germany.
The term 'bornscheid' literally means "Border Field", suggesting that the family may have lived in the vicinity of the border between two states back in the 15th century. It is believed that the family name may refer to a field that was situated along the boundary line of two feudal estates that were ruled by different lords, with the field providing a sort of buffer zone and common ground between them.
Alternatively, the name could refer to the livestock grazing in a particular field, with the owners of those animals having to share the rights to use the field. In either case, the surname Bornscheid suggests a fairly generous character on the part of the ancestral Bornscheid family, as it indicates a willingness to compromise and cooperate with others, regardless of individual rank or estate. It therefore makes perfect sense to connect this name with the "Border Field" meaning.
Order DNA origin analysisBornscheid: Where does the name Bornscheid come from?
The last name Bornscheid is most commonly found today in the Rhineland region of Germany, especially in North Rhineland-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate. There is also a noticeably higher concentration of the surname in the German states of Hesse, Baden-Württemberg, and Bavaria. According to Deutsche SurnameKarte, a prominent genealogical website, it is estimated that there are approximately 3,100 individuals in Germany with the last name Bornscheid.
In the United States, the Bornscheid surname is heavily concentrated around the Upper Midwest region, including Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, and South Dakota. However, smaller populations of individuals with the last name are also found in Texas, New York, California, and Illinois. As of 2020, the United States Social Security Administration database shows that there are 213 individuals in the United States with the last name Bornscheid.
Outside of Germany and the United States, the surname can be found scattered across Europe. In France, it is mainly found in the Alsace region on the German border and there are small pockets in Norway and the Netherlands as well.
Overall, based on this information, it is apparent that the last name Bornscheid is most commonly found in the Northern regions of Germany and the Midwest United States.
Variations of the surname Bornscheid
The variant spellings and surnames of Bornscheid are Bernscheid, Bernscheide, Bernscheiter, Bernscheiter, Borchert, Borchers, Borsch, Borsched, Borscheide, Borscheid, Borscheiter, Borscheiter, and Borschied.
The surnames all originated from the old German name "Brunschæid," used during the Medieval period. It is believed to have developed from a combination of the Germanic root work "brun" meaning "army" and "schæid," which is a derivative of the German word "scat," meaning "woodland" or "forest." After the Migration Period, the spelling of the surname began changing, leading to the variants seen today.
The variant spellings of Bornscheid include Bernscheid, Bernscheide, Bernscheiter, Bernscheiter, Borchert, Borchers, Borsch, Borsched, Borscheide, Borscheid, Borscheiter, Borscheiter, and Borschied. The spelling of the surname is very closely related, with the variants primarily being the addition of one letter.
Other related surnames include Brunscheid, Brunscheider, Blessing, Börsch, and Boucher. These surnames are believed to have branched from Bornscheid from more distant lineage. The surname Blessing is believed to have likely derived from Bornscheid or Brunscheid, due to the similarity in the spelling and pronunciation of the two. A combination of this time period as well as the prevalence of German migration to America likely led to the variant spellings and related surnames.
Famous people with the name Bornscheid
- Travis Bornscheid: Former NHL hockey player for the Tampa Bay Lightning.
- Dr. Michele Bornscheid: A veterinarian, author, and founder of the veterinary practice at Southwest Ohio Veterinary Clinic.
- William A. Bornscheid: A retired United States Air Force major general.
- Jan Bornscheid: A German Paralympic swimmer and cross-country skier who has won numerous medals in the Paralympic Games.
- Willi Bornscheid: A German arm wrestler and the former world champion in the sport.
- Malin Bornscheid: The youngest daughter of former German President Johannes Rau and is a reserve officer for the German military.
- Andreas "Andy" Bornscheid: A professional snowboarder from Germany who has won several World Cup events.
- Peter Bornscheid: A former professor at the University of California, Irvine and an expert on energy storage.
- Franziska Bornscheid: An accomplished architect and the recipient of the prestigious German Design Award for her designs of residential and commercial buildings.
- Zoe Bornscheid: An up and coming recording artist from Germany who is making waves in the music industry with her unique blend of electronic pop and alternative hip hop.