Surname Buerker - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'B'
Buerker: What does the surname Buerker mean?
The last name Buerker is of German origin. It is derived from a nickname given to a person who was brave or courageous. The surname itself is a combination of the words "bur" and "ker", which mean “brave” and “one” respectively.
Buerger is an occupational name for someone who practiced some form of the ancient art of metalworking, usually a blacksmith. In fact, "bur" or "buer" generally referred to someone who worked in iron and "ker" was an Old German word meaning "one". As such, the Buerger surname originates from a person who was thought to be brave enough to work with metal and forge things of value.
This surname is also associated with decent human accomplishments, such as moral courage, cases of defense of the oppressed, and helping those in need. Today, the Buerger name is found world-wide, generally in areas of German-speaking or Central European ancestry. The name may be spelled numerous ways, each spelling somehow having their own unique meaning and/or origin.
Despite the regional variations, the core meaning of the word is unchanged: A Buerger, no matter how it is spelled, is an individual known for bravery, courage, and a willingness to help others in need.
Order DNA origin analysisBuerker: Where does the name Buerker come from?
The surname Buerker is most commonly found today in Germany. Records in the German phonebook Database indicate that there are over 7,400 listings with this surname. However, there are a surprising number of Buerkers that can be found in other countries, especially in the United States.
Most concentration of those with the last name Buerker can be found in Southwest German states such as Rhineland-Palatinate, Baden-Württemberg, and Hesse, where records list the surname appearing more than five hundred times in each of these states.
In America, Buerker is a fairly uncommon name, but still can be found in some parts of the country, notably Oregon, North Carolina, and Michigan. The Oregon address book lists over 5,000 Buerkers, while North Carolina and Michigan each have just over 600 listed.
Aside from Germany, America, and a few other countries, Buerker is rarely found elsewhere. Global records indicate that it is present in countries such as Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Spain, France, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.
In America, the surname Buerker can commonly be found in larger cities such as Portland, OR, Raleigh, NC, Detroit, MI, and Charlotte, NC. In Germany, Buerker is found most often in large cities such as Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Stuttgart, and Dortmund, as well as in rural areas.
Overall, the last name Buerker can be found in both rural and urban areas throughout Germany and other parts of the world. Although it is not particularly common in America, it can still be found in some pockets of the country.
Variations of the surname Buerker
The surname Bürker is an occupational name referring to a shoemaker or leather worker, derived from a Low German derivative of the German word bürger, meaning "townsman" or "citizen". It is also sometimes spelled Bürker, Burkert, Bürkert, Bürckert, Berker, Bürckert, Berkmeier and Burkhard. It is mainly found in German-speaking regions, especially Bavaria.
Variants of the surname Bürker can be found in regions of Europe where German speakers have traditionally been present. In the Netherlands, for instance, it is called Böcker or Bökker, while in Austria and Switzerland sometimes Bücker or Bückert is encountered. The name is also more commonly found in the United States in a simplified form as Burkert or Burkard.
Additionally, some different surnames may have originated from the variant Bürker. Bürger, Bürgler, Bürck and Bürki can all be derived from the Bürker surname. Other possible variants include Burkert, Bürnker, Bürkgur, Bürkhardt, Bürkerhoff, and Bürksen.
The German surname Bürker can be traced back to the Middle Ages, with records of the family in the Bavarian town of Nördlingen in 1385. The spelling may have changed somewhat over the years, with some families anglicizing their names or changing them to fit the language in their new home. It is still a relatively common surname in Germany and some parts of Europe today.
Famous people with the name Buerker
- Rolf Buerkert: German physicist.
- Emmanuela Buerker: Paraguayan actress, model and researcher.
- Stephen Buerker: a member of the United States House of Representatives from Minnesota.
- Otto Bürker: German World War II fighter pilot.
- Alexander Bürker: German World War II submariner.
- Justin Buerger: American professional lacrosse player.
- Andreas Bürker: Swiss-born German painter.
- Anna Buerker: professional dressage rider based in Kirchberg, Switzerland.
- Reynold Buerker: Swiss ski jumper.
- Rainer Buerker: German master brewer.