Surname Bougher - Meaning and Origin

Bougher: What does the surname Bougher mean?

The surname Bougher is believed to be of English origin. However, the exact meaning and history of the name Bougher is somewhat unclear as surnames have changed their spelling and meaning over centuries through regional dialects, literacy, and migration. It might derive from an occupational name for a maker or seller of bows which is used in archery, from the Middle English term 'bougere'. Alternatively, it could be a topographic name from the Old English term 'bur' which means 'bower' or 'cottage'. Surnames often reflect an occupation, geographical location, or a descriptive characteristic of the original bearer. It's essential to note that the interpretation of a surname is speculative and researched in a wide variety of sources. People with the surname Bougher can be found mainly in the United States, and to a lesser extent in Canada and Australia.

Bougher: Where does the name Bougher come from?

The surname Bougher is of English origin. It likely originated in the medieval period, like many other surnames. Surnames often derived from occupations, characteristics, or locations, and Bougher may come from the old English word "boughere," a derivative of "bough," referring to someone who lived near a prominent branch or limb of a tree.

There's also a possibility that Bougher derived from the product of a person's trade or profession, such as a bowyer or bow-maker, which would have been a crucial role in medieval times.

In terms of its prevalence in the modern day, the surname Bougher is relatively rare and spread thinly across the world. A good number of individuals with this last name can be found in the United States, specifically in states like Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. Due to migration and emigration trends through the past centuries, it is also possible to find it in other parts of the world such as in certain European nations and Australia.

Variations of the surname Bougher

The surname Bougher originated from Britain and is often considered a variant of the Anglo-Saxon surname 'Baker'. The spelling evolution of this surname has many forms including Bower, Bowyer, Beauer, Borwe, Bowry, Bowery, Bowers, Bowars, and Bourer. Other versions such as Bouher, Bouer, Baugher, and Boker are also plausible given the varied historical records.

In Scotland, Bauer is a widely recognized deviant, while in Ireland, the anglicized surname Bougher comes from the Gaelic O'Boguidhir implying 'a person who was victorious in battle'. The ambiguity in spellings was typically due to an illiterate populace relying on phonetic transcription and different regional accents.

Descendants also branched out, hence widening the scope of name variants. Some of these can be Bougher, Boughner, Boughen, Bohan, Bohun, Bohane and Beauhan. Double-barrelled surnames could evolve through time by the blending of Bougher with another family name.

While tracing these surname versions, it's crucial to remember that similar spellings may have distinct origins and not every variant listed is necessarily directly descended from 'Bougher'. The listing of these variants helps researchers in genealogy, linguistics, and sociocultural history.

Famous people with the name Bougher

• Sam Bougher: Professional tennis player from Lincoln, Nebraska.
• Rachel Bougher: Olympic cross-country skier who won the bronze medal in the 20km event at the 2002 Winter Olympics.
• Nic Bougher: Racecar driver competing in the USAC Silver Crown Series.
• Scott Bougher: Powerlifter who represented the United States at the Powerlifting World Championships in 2017.
• Tom Bougher: Filmmaker whose documentary Water Warriors was named best documentary short film at the Toronto International Film Festival.
• Jim Bougher: Emmy Award-winning cinematographer who has worked on numerous major television shows and films over the past three decades.
• John Bougher: Professional golfer who has won multiple major championships in the sport.
• Erik Bougher: Professional basketball player who played professionally in the NBA and internationally in Europe.
• Harry Bougher: Former NFL quarterback who played for the Philadelphia Eagles and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
• Ed Bougher: Cartoonist who created the iconic Richie Rich series which ran in newspapers for over 30 years.

Other surnames

BoughBoughanBoughannanBoughenBoughmanBoughnBoughton