Surname Burhans - Meaning and Origin
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Burhans: What does the surname Burhans mean?
The last name Burhans is of German origin. It is derived from the German word "Burgan," which translates to "castle" or "fortress." This may have originated as a habitational name for someone who lived near a fort or castle. It is also possible that it was derived from the German word "Burgher," meaning "free citizen," suggesting someone who lived in a town or city and was granted the rights of a freeman.
The Burhans surname dates back to the 13th century in Germany, when Germanic settlers began to use last names as a way to distinguish individual family members from one another. As the Burhans surname spread throughout Europe, it altered slightly according to the local language and customs. Consequently, Burhans has several spelling variations, including Bürgans, Bergans, Burkans, Burghan, Burhans, Burgans, Bürgan, Berhan and many others.
The Burhans family is believed to have been descended from prominent German nobility. Throughout history, the Burhans name has been linked to many prominent figures, including imperial electors, military leaders, and religious figures.
Today, the Burhans family can be found in countries all over the world, including the United States, England, and Germany. The Burhans name is a reminder of this family's rich heritage and will continue to carry on its legacy for centuries to come.
Order DNA origin analysisBurhans: Where does the name Burhans come from?
The last name Burhans is an old German name that originated from two German words, ‘bur’, meaning ‘castle’, and ‘hans’, meaning ‘lord’. Today, Burhans is a common surname in the United States, particularly within the Pennsylvania Dutch communities residing in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the country. Individuals of the Burhans surname can also be found throughout California and the greater Southwest.
Within the Pennsylvania Dutch community, the Burhans name carries historical and cultural significance, as the first Burhans family who emigrated from Germany in the early 18th century holds an important place in the religious and cultural history of the American Pennsylvania Dutch. Germanic origins also give rise to English-speaking individuals of Burhans heritage throughout England and Scotland.
Individuals of the Burhans name can also be found further afield, including in Australia and South Africa, having emigrated from their German roots during the 19th century. Over the past century, the spread of the Burhans surname has stretched even further, with individuals of the Burhans name appearing in substantial communities in Canada, Brazil and Mexico.
The rapid and continued spread of the Burhans family name across the globe reveals the distinctive global connectivity of the family and the history of those who carry the Burhans name.
Variations of the surname Burhans
The Burhans surname has a few variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Burhans can also be spelled as Burhan, Buhran, Berhans or Berhan. Burhans is an anglicized form of the Germanic surname Buhrans.
The Burhans surname is believed to originate from the Middle Low German "buer", meaning a peasant farmer, or "bueran" meaning farmers’ sons. Therefore, Burhans might indicate a person or family from a farming background.
The spelling of the surname may have been altered over time, possibly switching from Burhans to Burhan and Buhran in some areas, or influenced by other languages, as is the case in the spelling Berhans, which could have arisen from a Scandanavian influence.
The Burhans surname is quite rare. Research has revealed a few families with this surname living in the United States, mainly in Pennsylvania. Burhans may have originally been a Swiss-German family name, originating from the city of Basel in Switzerland. The name appears to be mainly concentrated in countries where German, Swiss, Dutch, and Scandinavian immigrants settled, such as the United States, and Canada.
Having said that, the Burhans surname is not widely found, but the variations, spellings, and different surnames of the same origin more commonly found include Berhan, Berhans, Buhran, and Burhan. These have ultimately evolved from the same origin as the Burhans surname. And those bearing the surname are proud of their heritage and strive to preserve its legacy.
Famous people with the name Burhans
- Chad Burhans: musician, composer, and conductor, founder of NOW Ensemble
- Craig Burhans: professional soccer player
- Chris Burhans: member of the West Virginia House of Delegates
- Jim Burhans: former basketball player and coach
- Kelly Burhans: former major league baseball player
- John Burhans: politician, former Minnesota state senator
- Jeff Burhans: endorser of a nonprofit dedicated to improving the quality of public education
- Bill Burhans: former mayor of the Village of Rockville, New York
- Steve Burhans: former American football player
- Pat Burhans: Christian comedian and speaker