Surname Böhring - Meaning and Origin

Böhring: What does the surname Böhring mean?

The last name Böhring is a German surname with roots in the middle ages. It is believed that the name came from a place named Böhringen, located in what is now the state of Hesse in Germany. The surname is composed of two words, "bohr" meaning "bore-hole" or "well", and "ingen" which is a suffix meaning "people of". So, Böhring would have originally meant "those living at the bore-hole".

Throughout the years Böhring has been found more frequently in southern German states such as Bavaria, Lower Saxony, and Thuringia. It has also been found in northern regions such as Gotland, Prussia, and Westphalia.

Since it is a German name, Böhring is often found in German records. These include immigration records, church records, and even nobility records. From these records, we can see that bright and hardworking individuals have carried this name for centuries, and consequently the name has held a prestigious status among German aristocrats.

During the 19th century, many Germans emigrated abroad, carrying the Böhring name with them and spreading it all over the world. Nowadays, the name can still be found in Germany, but it is also common amongst German-speaking immigrant communities in the United States, Canada, and South America.

Böhring: Where does the name Böhring come from?

The surname Böhring is most commonly found today in Germany and Austria. According to the 2019 census, an estimated 0.12 percent of the German population, or 348,000 people, bear the name Böhring. Additionally, an estimated 3,500 Austrians share the same surname.

The surname has its roots in the Middle Ages, when it was commonly used by people living in the region known as Böhringen, an area around the Passau region of Bavaria. The name Böhringen, which means "hills" in Old High German, is thought to come from the word beor, which means "bear" in Proto-Germanic.

The name Böhring is derived from the village name Böhringen, and most likely served as a way to distinguish people from the village from those living outside it. The surname can be linked to various noble families, which can be traced back to the 13th century. Given its noble background, it is not surprising that the surname remains popular today in German-speaking countries.

The surname Böhring can also be found in other parts of the world, such as the United States, where there are an estimated 5,000-7,000 people with the name, as well as Canada and Brazil. Outside of Europe, the name can be found primarily among the descendants of German immigrants.

Variations of the surname Böhring

The surname Böhring is rooted in Germany, most likely associated with the old Bavarian and Prussian tribes. It is estimated that the surname Böhring is derived from the old Germanic word 'bauernring' which means 'barn circle or rural circle'.

The surname is widespread, though its spelling variations include Bohring, Böhringer, Bering, Beerring, Berring, Böhrink, Beirink, Böhringen, Bohrringe, Böhringer, Behrring and Behrinkle.

Outside of Germany, the surname appears as Böhring in the United States, France, and Canada. In America and Canada, the spelling differences tend to be a little more pronounced, such as Behringer, Behring, Bering and Beringer. In France, the surname is written as Boringue.

Variants of the surname can also be found in other countries with Germanic language influences, such as Austria, Denmark, Belgium, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Hungary. It is quite common to find the Anglicized spelling of Boering as well.

Overall, the surname Böhring has held its core spelling for centuries, but over time and across cultural lines has adopted a variety of spelling variations from country to country and region to region.

Famous people with the name Böhring

• Konrad Böhring: a respected German zoologist, embryologist, and Professor of Physiology at the University of Basel in Switzerland, credited with pioneering research in the field of reproductive physiology.
• Viktor Böhring: a Prussian General during World War I, known primarily for his involvement in the Battle of Tannenberg, a major German victory during the war.
• Waltraut Böhring: a famous German scenographer and costume designer for stage productions with contributions to the world of opera, ballet, and theatrical plays.
• Heinz Böhring: a German born journalist and politician who served as a politician in East Berlin during the Cold War.
• Volker Böhring: a renowned German politician who was the prominent Finance Minister in the Berlin government.
• Ernst Böhring: the famous German industrialist and entrepreneur, who owned a number of thriving factories throughout Europe.
• Adolf Böhring: the acclaimed German actor who enjoyed long-lasting stardom through his career from the 1940s to the present day.
• Jan Böhring: the celebrated German short story author, having written over fifteen short stories and several books, and known for his poetic writing style.
• Willi Böhring: the esteemed German filmmaker who was a major contributor to the renowned New German Cinema movement in the 1950s and 1960s.

Other surnames

Böhringer