Surname Buhrig - Meaning and Origin

Buhrig: What does the surname Buhrig mean?

The surname Buhrig is a German name. It is believed to be derived from two elements: the German word bührig, which means 'industrious', and the Old German word Buhr, which means 'poet' or 'bard'. This combination implies that the surname likely originated from somebody who was both diligent and creative - a skillful poet or storyteller.

The surname is found mainly in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, and dates back centuries. Records show that the name first appeared in Cologne in the 1500s. Over time, the surname spread and became more widespread.

The surname Buhrig has since become a common one in Europe, and many of its existing bearers are proud of their heritage. Those with the surname are likely to have been all around the world due to persecution in the 1600s, which forced many German people to flee to other countries. This has led to people with the surname Buhrig living in many different countries, including France, the United States, and Canada.

Due to its origin, the last name Buhrig symbolizes hard work and creativity. Those bearing this name often have an affinity for the arts, given its underlying symbolism of skilled bards. In many ways, it has defined the careers of many of its modern-day bearers.

Buhrig: Where does the name Buhrig come from?

The last name Buhrig is primarily found in Germany, where an estimated 600 people bear the surname. Variants of the name can also be found in Austria, the United States, and Brazil. The surname Buhrig is most common in the German states of Baden-Wurttemberg and Bavaria, where many records from Diener Hochstifts Ofen and Memmingen indicate that the name has been used for several hundred years. The name was first mentioned in a court document of Ofen in 1609, with a man named Melchior von Buhrig.

Buhrig is typically classified as a locative or toponymic family name, indicating that an ancestor originally originated from the town or region of Buhrig. Over time, the surname has spread to other parts of Europe and the Americas. While it is not common in the United States, over 750 Americans are registered as carrying the name, many of them of German descent. The majority of American Buhrigs are found in the states of Ohio, New York, and Illinois.

Today, Buhrig can be found in both German and anglicized forms, with variants like Buehrig and Beuhrig. Despite the relative rarity of the surname, it is still widely used in Germany and recognized around the world.

Variations of the surname Buhrig

The surname Buhrig has several variants and spellings with German, Dutch, Belgian, Irish, and English roots. Common variants include Buehrig, Buhr, Buehrer, Bouhrer, Buerger, Buergermeister, and Beirger.

In German, the most common variant is Buhrig, and the variant Bührig can also be found. The spelling Buhr can be found in areas with a higher Dutch influence, such as the Netherlands and areas of Belgium.

The spelling Bouhrer can be found, particularly in France, as well as Buerger and Buergermeister, which are the French forms of the German word Burgermeister.

The Irish variant Beirger most likely derived from the surname Buhrig, and is still commonly used in Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal, and Fermanagh. In coroners records of Donegal, Beirger is sometimes spelled Beirgheir.

The English variants Buehrig and Buehrer have been seen in records from the US, Canada, Australia, and England, so it is thought to have origins from the English language as well.

Some American spellings found include Behrig, Beerig, Belrig, Büerig, Bürger, Bieberger, and Beerger.

Responding to all the international variants, spellings, and surnames, it is evident that there are many variations of the surname Buhrig. The commonalities of the spellings are a testament to the gradual migration and transformation of language and its roots throughout the world.

Famous people with the name Buhrig

• Hans-Werner Buhrig: German actor, author, screenwriter, producer, and director.
• Gary Buhrig: former Major League Baseball pitcher.
• Jim Buhrig: former professional hockey player.
• Scott Buhrig: American engineer and robotics researcher.
• Kurt Buhrig: professor of economics at the University of Mannheim, Germany.
• Kasey Buhrig: award-winning Canadian voice actress.
• Alma Buhrig: German actress, author, and vocalist.
• Anneliese Buhrig: author and lecturer from Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
• Philipp Buhrig: German politician and Member of the European Parliament from 2009-2013.
• Karl Buhrig: German-born composer, arranger, and jazz musician.

Other surnames

BuhringBühring