Surname Bergan - Meaning and Origin

Bergan: What does the surname Bergan mean?

The last name Bergan is a German surname which can also be found as a variation of the name Bergman. The literal translation of the name is "protector of the mountain". In some legend, it was also believed to be carried by a "mountain guardian". The surname can also be related to the Germanic word ‘berg’ which itself is derived from the Latin term ‘maurus’ meaning “wall or rampart”.

Bergan is an occupational surname, with the associated occupation being a miner. Historically, the Bergans were a people that mine metals and worked in the quarries of the mountains. The Bergan surname can also indicate a topographic origin, meaning a person who lived near a hill or a mountain.

The name Bergan is a common German name, found in countries with a large German population such as Austria, Germany and parts of Switzerland. It is also amongst the most common surnames in Protestant regions of the United States such as Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Many members of the Bergan family have gone on to become successful in various fields such as politics, sports, business, medicine or academics. Individuals with the Bergan name can also be found serving within the military or various religious and charity organizations.

Bergan: Where does the name Bergan come from?

The last name Bergan is most commonly found among people of Swedish descent. In 2018, the United States Census estimated that the number of people with the Bergan surname in America was over 12,000, making the surname the 1,179th most common. In Sweden, where the name is thought to originate, the Bergan name is still relatively common, with an estimated 10,949 people holding the name as of 2019. Additionally, it is still found in neighbouring Scandinavian countries such as Norway, where it is the 462nd most common last name, and Denmark, where it is the 1,358th most common.

Despite its Scandinavian origin, the Bergan name is found throughout the world, albeit usually in small numbers. The name is particularly common in Central and South America, often taken by immigrants from Sweden and Norway who settled in these countries in the early 20th century. Although it has some popularity in Canada, the name is much less affluent than in the US and the Scandinavian countries. Elsewhere, there are small numbers of Bregans found in Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Austria and Germany, and the UK, among other countries. In all these countries, however, the Bergan name is quite rare.

Variations of the surname Bergan

The surname Bergan is thought to have two possible origins. It may be derived from the Old German phrase “bergen” meaning “mountain-like,” or it may have been derived from the Jewish surname “Barag,” meaning “son of the great one.”

Variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin of Bergan include Burgen, Bergeon, Bergens, Burgons, Bergenson, and Burgan. Bergan may also be seen spelled with slight variations such as Bergen, Beugan, Bergar, Bergenh, Berkerman, Burgman, Bergmin, Burgmon, Bergenheim, Bergenroth, Bergenthal, and Burgenthal.

In addition, Bergan is a common surname found in many parts of the world, including Germany, the Netherlands, France, Norway, Sweden, and Puerto Rico. It is also a fairly common American surname, most famously associated with American country singer John Bergen.

In addition to the many spellings and surnames, Bergan is also sometimes used as a first name. Famous people with the first name Bergan include Austrian actress and painter Marie Bergan, and American painter Bergan Foley.

Famous people with the name Bergan

• Blanche Bergan: Broadway actress known for her film roles in Windfall and The Star Maker
• Rulon Bergan: American professional basketball player
• Marinus Bergan: American lawyer and politician
• Sheilah Bergan: German-born American choreographer, dancer and actress
• Professor Bergan: anatomical professor at the Royal Veterinary College Berlin
• George Bergan Jr.: United States Marine Corps general
• Laura Bergan: Miss America 1977
• John Bergan: ordained Roman Catholic priest and President of Catholic Theological Union
• Charles Bergan: skilled American soccer player and pioneer soccer coach from Brooklyn, New York
• Marie Bergan: conservator, arts administrator, and gallerist in Los Angeles, California

Other surnames

BerganderBergantBergantzel