Surname Borchmann - Meaning and Origin
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Borchmann: What does the surname Borchmann mean?
The last name Borchmann is a German surname derived from the Middle High German word “burch” or “bourg” which translates to “fortification”. It is a nickname name for a person who lived near or resided inside a fortification or stronghold. The name implies that those who shared the surname belonged to a family of warriors and defense-builders. This makes perfect sense considering Germany’s history of war-making and territorial expansion.
Within Germany, the name Borchmann is most common in the northern region of the country. This coincides with the history of Germany’s settlement in those same areas during the late Middle Ages and early Modern Era. It is thought that the Borchmann surname is an occupational name, once associated with a specific class of people who built the fortresses and strongholds necessary to protect Germany’s borders.
It’s also possible that those with the surname Borchmann were members of an ancient lineage of German nobility. Nobles were the only people allowed to live in large fortifications or strongholds that were frequently built to protect certain families. During the medieval period, family names were most often passed down through male-lineages, and those with the surname Borchmann likely were direct descendants of the family tied to the fortress or stronghold for which the name was derived.
Whatever the origin of the Borchmann surname, it is likely that it generally connotates a sense of strength, loyalty, and courage. Taken together, this is a name that reflects the spirit of the people in the Middle Ages who defended and built Germany’s borders.
Order DNA origin analysisBorchmann: Where does the name Borchmann come from?
The last name Borchmann is most commonly found within Germany and Denmark today.
In Germany, Borchmann is a fairly frequent surname, ranking at around the 5,767th most common surname in the country. It has its origin in a variety of places, including the Silesia region in the southwest and certain parts of Saxony in the east. Many with this last name in Germany can trace their ancestry back to the Silesian Gorzów district.
In Denmark, Borchmann is a more rare surname. In terms of frequency today, it ranks at around the 6,914th most common family name. It is most commonly found in the southeast of the country among the towns of Copenhagen, Århus, and Odense.
The last name Borchmann can also be found today in smaller numbers in countries such as the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the United States. However in these countries it is much less common compared to Germany and Denmark.
Overall, the Borchmann surname has the strongest presence in Germany and Denmark. It is most commonly found in the south and east of Germany, and in the southeast of Denmark.
Variations of the surname Borchmann
The surname Borchmann is a variant spelling of the surname Burchman, which is derived from the German given name Burchard. Although this name is widespread in Europe, it is often found specifically in Germany, the Low Countries, and Scandinavia. Variations of the surname Borchmann include Borchman, Burchman, Burchmann, Börchmann, Börmant, Börchmen, and Burrmann.
The surname Borchmann is of Germanic origin, and derives from the traditional German given name Burchard, also known as Berchtold, Berthold, Buchart, Burchart, Burcard, and Burhart. This old German name is derived from the two words "berg" meaning mountain or hill, and "hart" meaning hard, strong, or brave, and often carried the meaning of “fortified hill”.
The surname Borchmann is primarily found in Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland, due to high numbers of German emigrants who settled these countries in the 1600’s and 1700’s. It is also common among German-speaking people in the United States and Canada, with the surname Borchmann appearing in the US Census of 2000.
In addition to its appearance in German-speaking countries in Europe, the name of Borchmann can also be found in countries such as Switzerland, Italy, France, and the Czech Republic, as well as in former European colonies such as Brazil, Argentina, and the United States. Similar names such as Burcham and Burchamman can also be found in various parts of the world, such as Scotland, Australia, and New Zealand.
Famous people with the name Borchmann
- Richard Borchmann: German former professional footballer who played for teams such as Eintracht Frankfurt and VfB Stuttgart during the German Bundesliga.
- Klaus Borchmann: Norwegian actor who has featured in several Norwegian films and television shows.
- Tine Borchmann: Danish film director and screenwriter who debuted in 1997 with the movie Children Alive.
- Paul Borchmann: Finished runner-up in the 1907 Tour de France, and later became a professional cyclist for Lancereaux.
- Annika Borchmann: German professional volleyball player who has played for clubs like Dresdener SC and SSC Karlsruhe.
- Ingo Borchmann: German jazz drummer; member of the band Magic Malik Orchestra and performs regularly with the Enrico Rava Hot-Club.
- Klaus Borchmann: Member of the German Diplomatic Corps and civil servant in the European Commission.
- Else Borchmann: Painter; known for portraits and still life, exhibited extensively in Germany and other countries
- Steffen Borchmann: Former German-Brazilian footballer, most notably playing for clubs like Willem II and in the German Bundesliga.
- Klaus-Jürgen Borchmann: Was a classical novelist and composer, known for such works as 'The Last War'.