Surname Baehrens - Meaning and Origin

Baehrens: What does the surname Baehrens mean?

The last name Baehrens is believed to have first originated in Germany and is derived from the Old German first name 'Bahren'. Deriving from a personal name, Baehrens is classed as a patronymic surname, which is one that is based on the given name of a person's father or ancestor. It is thought that Baehrens could have been founded by an individual who had the first name of Bahren, who would then have taken the last name of his father.

The surname has had many variations throughout the years, including Baehren, Behrens, Baarens, Bahrens and Behrenz, which suggests that it could have been spread across a wide area and changed its spelling as it moved. This could indicate that instead of it being originated from one place, the name may have first come from many.

Baehrens is believed to have been most commonly found in Prussia and various parts of East Germany, where it is found today. It could also have been found in other parts of Germany, Europe or America but the actual origin of the surname is unknown.

Today, the surname can still be found in many countries throughout the world, and those bearing the name are thought to spread themselves across a wide range of professions, suggesting that it could be used as a marker for a range of occupations.

Baehrens: Where does the name Baehrens come from?

The last name Baehrens is most commonly found in Germany and the Low Countries today, particularly in North Rhine-Westphalia. It is also present in Luxembourg, Poland, France, and the Netherlands. Baehrens is a German surname, derived from the personal name "Beren," which is a combination of two Germanic words meaning "brave" and "bear."

Baehrens is an uncommon, but not extraordinarily rare, name. While there is no definitive location where the name is most common, a 2011 German census estimated that there were around 2030 people with the name in Germany, concentrated mainly in North Rhine-Westphalia. The Netherlands also has a significant population of people with this name, with 1600 people estimated to have it in 2012.

The name has spread to other countries, with a few hundred present in Luxembourg, 168 in Poland, and around 100 in France. People with the surname may have German roots and come from immigrant families, or they may be descendants of German allies that lived in those countries in centuries past.

The name is usually spelled without an "s" at the end in other countries. The "s" may have been added later by German emigres in order to preserve the correct spelling and pronunciation of the name. Regardless of the spelling, Baehrens is a name that has been around for centuries and is still associated with its German roots.

Variations of the surname Baehrens

The surname Baehrens (also spelled Behrens, Baehrans, Behrans, Baehr, Bohrens, Berrens, Byrens, Baerrens, Beirens and Berens) derives from Middle High German and Old High German origins, literally meaning 'bear'. It is thought to have originated in Germany or Denmark in the Middle Ages.

The surname Baehrens has other surnames of the same origin, which evolved as language changed and the spelling adapted. These included variants such as Behrens, Baehrans, Behrans, Baehr, Bohrens, Berrens, Byrens, Baerrens, Beirens and Berens.

Behrens is the most frequent variation of this surname, which shows its popularity throughout northern Europe. It has been recorded in many spellings over time as the pronunciation of the surname varied between dialects: for example Baehrens was often pronounced as Bair-ans or Beh-rens.

The name Baehrens became increasingly popular in the region during the 12th century, and spread further in the following centuries. Throughout the 19th century, it was common to see the surname Baehrens recorded in the United States as German immigrants had started migrating to North America in large numbers.

The surname has evolved over time, with many different spellings and variants having been used throughout history, however the original Middle High German origin remains unchanged. In modern times, many of these variants remain popular throughout Northern Europe and North America, giving the surname a wide spread presence.

Famous people with the name Baehrens

• Heinrich Baehrens (1849–1927), German classical scholar
• Johann Bährens (1514–1579), German Protestant
• Karl Baehrens (1853–1922), German physicist
• Wilhelm Baehrens (1848–1924), German classical scholar
• Hermann Baehrens (1902–1960), German philologist and Indo-Europeanist
• Robert Baehrens (1913–2010), German theologian
• Roland Baehrens (born 1962), German water polo player
• Alfred Baehrens (1868–1945), German classical philologist
• Andreas Baehrens (born 1960), German theologian
• Johannes Baehrens (1805–1885), German philologist

Other surnames

BaehreBaehrenBaehrend