Surname Buerkner - Meaning and Origin
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Buerkner: What does the surname Buerkner mean?
The last name Buerkner is of German origin, and it is derived from the language of the Middle Ages. It is a combination of the words burg and nér, which means "fortified tower" or "fortified protection". Historically, the name was most commonly used to refer to a family who owned a castle or refuge.
Buerkner is a surname often found in Germany, as well as areas of Eastern and Central Europe. In Germany, it is derived from the pre-medieval personal names Burkhard and Burkart, and is generally regarded as a classical German name. It can also refer to a former habitat, such as a fortified tower, castle, or building that served as a refuge for those of an elite rank.
In modern times, the Buerkner surname has generally not retained a place in German society. Today, it is more likely associated with someone of nobility from times long ago. Perhaps, a reminder that noble families have a long tradition of protecting their own kind and guarding important places. It is a reminder to never forget to stay sharp and protect those close to us, especially in times of great need.
Order DNA origin analysisBuerkner: Where does the name Buerkner come from?
The last name Buerkner is of German origin. Today, the last name is most common in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. According to some sources, the Buerkner family originally came from France and set up shop in the area of Swabia, a district located in southwestern Germany.
The family name became more common in the 16th century when many of its members moved to Bavaria and other regions within the country. It is thought that the surname is derived from the German words, "Bauer" and "Knecht", referring to a farmer or tenant farmer.
Next to Germany, the name is also popular in the United States, with the highest concentration of Buerkners found in Pennsylvania. Here, the family is especially well-represented in the city of Pittsburgh.
In the United Kingdom, the last name is hardly found, but its variation "Burkner" can be located in the city of London.
In total, about 19,600 people in the world carry the last name Buerkner, with the majority living in Germany.
Variations of the surname Buerkner
The surname Buerkner has various variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variants of the surname are Bürkner, Böerkner, and Börkner. These variants are often used interchangeably.
The Bürkner surname is believed to originate from the Germanic word "burh", meaning "fortified place" or "fortress". It is also believed to be derived from the Old German "Behr", meaning "bear". This surname was most likely a nickname for someone who lived, worked, or owned a place near a fortress or a bear-like figure.
The Böerkner and Börkner variants are believed to have originated from the German "buerke" meaning "spur". This suggests that it was a nickname for someone who used to wear a spur or had particularly strong spurs.
Other variant spellings of the surname include Buerkner, Burkhard, Voelkel, and Volkel. The Burkhart surname is believed to be derived from the German word "burh", meaning "fortified place" or "fortress". The Voelkel and Volkel surnames are believed to originate from the Old German personal name "Volcohl", which means "wolf". This could suggest that it was a nickname for someone who was wolf-like or fearless.
In summary, the surnames Buerkner, Bürkner, Böerkner, Börkner, Burkhart, Voelkel, and Volkel all have the same origin. The origins may be varied however, they all typically refer to people who lived or worked near a fortress, possessed strong spurs, or resembled a wolf.
Famous people with the name Buerkner
- Werner Buerkner: German neurologist and antherpologist
- Adolf Buerkner: German landscape painter
- Max Buerkner: German philosopher and attorney
- Bernd Buerkner: German philanthropist
- Gottfried Buerkner: German entomologist and amateur mycologist
- Katherina Buerkner: German figure skater
- Frank Buerkner: German painter and performance artist
- Bartolomeo Buerkner: German physician and chemist
- Johanna Buerkner: German opera composer and soprano singer
- Johan Buerkner: German ophthalmologist and medical professor