Surname Bour - Meaning and Origin
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Unraveling My Ancestry: An Unexpected Twist in the Bour Family Heritage
A recent DNA test with iGENEA has led to intriguing discoveries about my genealogy. The test not only confirmed my assumed French roots but also unearthed a substantial Scandinavian heritage, significantly influencing my understanding of my family history and personal identity.
S. Bour
read moreBour: What does the surname Bour mean?
The last name Bour is an Old French surname dating back to medieval times. It is an occupational surname derived from the Old French word "bour," which translates to mean "engineer" or "magistrate." The name likely referred to the ancestors of those who held a position of responsibility in the construction of buildings, roads, and bridges. Alternately, it may have been borne by individuals with a similar social position, such as a magistrate or a government official.
Bour is a patronymic surname, which means it was originally derived from the given name of the father of the original bearer. In this case, the name originated from the given name Bours, which was derived from old Germanic personal names containing the element "bur," meaning “fortified house.”
The Bour family may have originated from the French city of Bourges, located in the region of Centre-Val de Loire in the Loir-et-Cher département. The city of Bourges was founded in the Roman era, but it also had a castle dating back to 11th century. Various occupations have been linked to this region, including weaving and draping.
Today, the surname Bour is relatively rare. Individuals with this surname may be found mostly in France and other French-speaking countries, but also in England, Germany, Belgium, Ireland, the United States, and even Australia.
Order DNA origin analysisBour: Where does the name Bour come from?
The last name Bour is most commonly associated with France originally, as it is widely spread across parts of the country. It may originate from the Occitan word bourg meaning ‘castle’ or ‘fortified town’, and has been seen as far back as 1146 in Perche, France.
Currently, the surname Bour is spread across much of the world, particularly in areas that were colonized by Europeans. The name, while not overly common, is seen in quite a few countries including France, the United States of America, Canada, Belgium, Switzerland, and Austria.
In the United States, the name is most commonly found in Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and New York. With a large population of Cajun and French Canadian-descendant individuals living in Louisiana, it's no surprise that the Bour name is the most frequent in this state. The surname is also found in states with large immigrant populations such as California, Ohio, and Illinois.
Outside of the United States, the surname is very prevalent in Canada and Belgium, two countries that were formerly colonized by the French, in addition to France itself. In France, the last name is found primarily in the departments of Loire-Atlantique, Charente-Maritime, and Vendée, where it has been present for centuries. Additionally, it is also seen in Austria and Switzerland due to its close proximity to France.
In conclusion, the last name Bour is most commonly associated with France and is widely spread throughout the world, particularly in areas that were formerly colonized by the French. It is found in large populations in Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Michigan, New York, Belgium, and Canada in addition to its origins in France.
Variations of the surname Bour
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Bour is Boor, Boar, Bohr, Bohrer, Bauers, Bauere, Baur, Bawer, Bower, Bauer, Bowyer, Bowery, Boora, Boord, Bort, and Bortz.
Bour is a surname that originated from the Middle Ages in France, and can be traced back to the villages of Bourg, Bourgois, or Bourdeaux. It is traqditionally associated with tradespeople who made their living through the use of heavy tools like hammers and anvils at the forges and smithys. It was also connected with the production of weapons and armor. The name can be found throughout France, Germany, and Switzerland, as well as other parts of Europe.
In the United Kingdom, the name was common in the town of Bournemouth which was derived from Anglo-Saxon words meaning 'burn of mouth'. Many different spellings have become associated with the surname, including variants such as Baur, Bauers, Bohr, and Boar.
In the United States, it can also be found in the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York, as people who emigrated from Germany and other countries with the surname settled in these areas. The spelling of the name is also subject to regional variation in some parts of the country. In the Midwest, for example, the spelling of the name may be Bowers, Bowery, or Bohrer.
In conclusion, the surname Bour can be found in many different forms and spellings, all of them originating from French names of villages like Bourg, Bourgois and Bourdeaux. Throughout Europe, America, and the United Kingdom, the name has undergone many variations and spelling changes, but has remained the same in its origin and meaning.
Famous people with the name Bour
- Stéphane Bour: French film actor
- David Bour: French DJ
- Carole Bour: French alpine skier
- Bruno Bour: French cross-country skier
- Pierre-Yves Bour: French Olympic ski jumper
- Saïd Bourabia: French professional football player
- Nora Arnezeder: French actress and singer
- Niels Arestrup: French actor
- Jean-Pierre Bour: French actor
- Sacha Bour: French actor
- William Bour: French filmmaker and photographer
- Élodie Bour: French actress
- Jules-Antoine Bour: French writer and philosopher
- Olivier Bour: French actor
- Lucien Bour: French actor
- Marilou Bourdon: Canadian singer-songwriter
- Yannick Bour: French politician
- François Bour: French television presenter
- Marie-France Bour: French actress
- Samuel Bour: French composer and sound designer