Surname Behrendsen - Meaning and Origin
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Behrendsen: What does the surname Behrendsen mean?
The last name Behrendsen is of Germanic origin. In Germany, the family name is found mainly in the states of Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony. The name consists of the two elements 'Beraht' which is an old Germanic personal name and '-sen' which is a suffix meaning 'son of.'
Behrendsen is a patronymic name, meaning it was a name that was taken on the basis of a father's given name. The name was later altered to Behrends, Behrendt, and Behrend.
Throughout history, the Behrendsen family has been associated with many different occupations and activities. During the Middle Ages in Europe, the Behrendsen family was primarily involved in the production of salt, which was essential to life during this time period. Later in history, the family were involved in the practice of law and in the shipping trade.
The Behrendsen family has been influential in many different aspects of German and European culture. They have made significant contributions in the areas of science, arts, architecture, and literature.
Overall, the last name Behrendsen is an ancient surname originating from Germany and has been established in history as a well-known family for generations. The Behrendsen family has been and continues to be a sizable and influential part of German and European culture.
Order DNA origin analysisBehrendsen: Where does the name Behrendsen come from?
The last name Behrendsen is mostcommonly found today in the German-speaking nations of Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. In Germany, which holds the largest population of Behrendsens, the name is most common in the southwestern region, especially the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Other regions with relatively high numbers include Bavaria, Upper Saxony, Hesse, Hamburg, Lower Saxony, and Schleswig-Holstein. In Austria and Switzerland, the Behrendsen surname is found mostly in eastern regions such as Steiermark (Austria) and Zurich (Switzerland).
The name Behrendsen is derived from the German word “Behr”, meaning young barley. The earliest records of the surname come from the Pomerania region of northern Germany, where it was first spelled “Behrsin”. In Middle Low German, the spelling “Behrmans” was prevalent and eventually evolved into “Behrendsen” by the 18th century.
Behrendsens today are found mainly in Western Europe, although there are some notable occurrences of the name in the United States, Russia, and the Netherlands. The US is home to the largest population of Behrendsens outside of German-speaking Europe, with most living in New York and Pennsylvania.
Overall, the Behrendsen surname is still very closely linked to Germany and other German-speaking regions in Europe.
Variations of the surname Behrendsen
The surname Behrendsen can be spelled and pronounced in a variety of ways. It is a patronymic surname, deriving from the given name Behrend, which itself is derived from the Germanic elements “berht” (bright) and “hram” (raven).
The most common spelling of the surname is Behrendsen, although some other variants exist. These can include Behr, Behrand, Behrens, Berhard, Berhardt, Behrandt, Berndt, Berndsen, and Behrensen.
Behrendsen is an old West Germanic surname, but is more commonly found in Northern Germany, predominantly in the states of Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein. The surname is rare elsewhere, but variants of it are also found in Denmark and the Netherlands.
In the United States, the surname Behrendsen is anglicized to Brandt, which is the most recognizable variant of this name. Other variants in English-speaking countries include Brand, Bernard, Bernardson, Bernardt, Behrend, Behrendtson, Behrendtsen, and Behrndt.
The spelling Behrendsen has been in use for many centuries, and over the years, it has evolved to accommodate various languages in Europe. As a result, there are many variant spellings and surnames that still carry the Behrendsen family name.
Famous people with the name Behrendsen
- Deborah Behrendsen: Australian politician and medical practitioner who served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly in Tasmania from 2002 to 2018.
- Timothy Behrendsen: Award-winning American musician, producer, and songwriter who wrote and performed with many popular bands, including The Edge and Filter.
- Jens Behrendsen: Danish former professional football player who played in the Danish Superliga for FC Viborg from 1979 to 1981.
- Morten Behrendsen: Danish-Canadian sculptor and visual artist, known for large-scale contemporary public art projects.
- José Behrendsen: Argentine footballer who competed in the 1960 Summer Olympics.
- John D. Behrendsen: American politician and former state representative in the Iowa General Assembly.
- Justus Behrendsen: German physicist and inventor of pyroelectrical materials, such as piezoelectric quartz, which he studied extensively.
- Meghan Behrendsen: Canadian singer and guitarist from the band Dear Rouge, which won the 2016 Juno Award for Breakthrough Group of the Year.
- Andrea Behrendsen: German stage actress and opera singer who won the Glashütte Original Documentary Film Award at the 62nd Berlin International Film Festival in 2012.
- William Behrendsen: American orthopedic surgeon who served on the governing board of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.