Surname Beham - Meaning and Origin
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Beham: What does the surname Beham mean?
The surname Beham is an occupational name derived from the Middle English word ‘begham’ which translates to a ‘baker.’ It is thought to be of Anglo-Saxon origin and originated in medieval England as a way to uniquely differentiate individuals with the same surname. From the 12th century onwards, surnames like Beham spread throughout Europe as a result of the mass migration of the Norman French.
The Beham surname has been carried down by generations and is quite common in the UK, making it part of what is known as the ‘common English’ group of surnames. It may also be found in Scotland, Ireland, and the United States (both before and after the Great Migration).
In addition to its occupational roots, Beham has been attributed to alternative meanings. According to some sources, the Beham surname may have been derived from the old English word ‘beornhelm’, which translates to ‘intelligent helmet’. Alternatively, it may have also derived from the French element ‘beau,’ which translates to ‘beautiful.’
Although more research is required, the Beham surname is an important part of Europe’s rich, multifaceted history. Its multiple meanings and origins speak to the significant cultural and genetic diversity of the Europeans during the past few centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisBeham: Where does the name Beham come from?
The last name Beham is common in Germany and some countries in central Europe where German is the primary language. In Germany alone, there were about 2,500 people with the surname Beham living in the country in 2020, according to the genealogical research site Ahnenforschung.
The Beham surname stems from the Middle High German word "beheim", meaning home. It is likely that the surname originated in Germany then spread to other countries as people migrated to different areas.
The cities with the most Behams today are Munich, Nuremberg, and Berlin, where nearly 3 out of every 1000 people have this surname. In the United States, Behams are found most frequently in the states of Pennsylvania and New York.
The Beham name is also found in other countries such as Romania, Austria, Czech Republic, and Slovakia as well as countries further afield such as Canada and Australia. In South Africa, the surname is found predominantly among Afrikaans-speaking people.
Despite the Beham surname's mainly German roots, it has spread around the globe through migration. Today, one can find individuals with the surname 'Beham' in various countries.
Variations of the surname Beham
The surname Beham (also sometimes spelled Beehm, Beheem, and Beheim) can be traced back to medieval Germany. It is believed to have originated from the word baÿheim, which was a term that referred to a person who owned property in the land along the Bÿ river. The Bÿ river is located in modern day Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
The surname Beham typically refers to the descendants of those individuals who held property on the Bÿ river. This surname is commonly used in many parts of Europe, particularly in Germany, France, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Italy, and Austria, as well as other parts of Europe.
Some variants of the surname Beham include Beehm, Behamm, Behaim, Beheim, Beerham, Behamer, Beiram, Berme, Beyhem, Beyheem, Beyheim, Biham, Bieham, and Biemer.
The spelling of the surname can also vary depending on the country in which it is found. In France, for example, the name can be spelled as Behem or Bihém. In the Netherlands, the name may appear as Beheem, Boeheim, or Boeheym. In Austria, the spelling is usually Veheem or Vehêm.
In some cases, individuals with the surname Beham may have changed their name to make it easier to pronounce and spell. Variants such as Bemey, Beamer, Beyer, and Heim, may have all evolved from the original Beham surname.
No matter how the surname is spelled, individuals with the Beham surname are all descended from the same original family.
Famous people with the name Beham
- Barthel Beham (1500–1540): a German artist and goldsmith who was one of the most important printmakers of his era.
- Hans Sebald Beham (1500–1550): a German artist who was renowned for his woodcuts and other engravings.
- Georg Pencz (1500–1550): a German painter, draughtsman, and printmaker who was a leading member of the circle of artists known as “The Little Masters” which included Beham's brother.
- Heinrich Aldegraver (1500–1561): a thriving German printmaker and draftsman; he trained with Beham and later joined him in Nuremberg.
- Adam Walchner (1534–1592): a German printmaker and engraver of the late 16th century; he was a student and assistant of Beham.
- Erhard Schön (1521–1593): a Flemish painter, engraver, and draughtsman; his teacher was Beham in Nuremberg.
- Jacob Baldewein (1547–1623): a renowned German goldsmith and printmaker; he was a student of Beham.
- Christoph Murer (1540-1614): a Swiss book illustrator and copperplate engraver; he was a student of Beham.
- Virgil Solis (1514-1562): a German illustrator, engraver, geometrician, and architect; he was a student of Beham.
- Emerich Fiala (1570-1637): a Czech painter, draughtsman, designer, and engraver; he was a student of Beham.