Surname Neubuhr - Meaning and Origin

Neubuhr: What does the surname Neubuhr mean?

The last name Neubuhr is a German surname derived from a combination of two words: neu, meaning “new,” and bürger, meaning “citizen.” The literal translation of the name is “new citizen,” indicating that at some point, someone in the Neubuhr line was either a newly arrived immigrant or was newly enfranchised into citizenship.

The name also has its roots in some of the earliest German settlements. In Medieval Germany, a Neubürger was a specific type of settler. This type of settler was either a settler from another nearby German settlement, or someone from outside Germany who laid claim to the land and who was accepted as a citizen.

The Neubuhr surname has since spread throughout Europe and can be found in countries such as Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and the Netherlands. In the United States, the name is most widely spread in Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

The name also has a long history in Germany. It was first documented in the 15th century in the regions of what is now Dresden and Leipzig. Since then, the surname has been tied to prominent German personalities, such as Reinhold Neibuhr, a prominent theologian and professor of practical theology at Union Theological Seminary in New York City.

All in all, the establishment of the Neubuhr surname is a testament to the importance of mobility and migration in early German history, as well as the importance of citizenship and the right to settle on the land.

Neubuhr: Where does the name Neubuhr come from?

The last name Neubuhr is most commonly found within Germany, mainly within the Northern parts of the country. It ranks as the 131st most common name in the country. According to specialists, the name most likely originated from the Middle Low German words neubor meaning “new” and “uhr” meaning “watch” or an “hour”.

Given the popularity of the last name in Germany, it’s no surprise that Neubuhr is also a common name in other countries with significant populations of ethnic Germans, such as South Africa, the United States, Brazil, and Argentina. It can also be found to a lesser extent in the Netherlands, Australia, and England.

Some famous personalities who bear the last name Neubuhr include German tapestry designer Margarete Neubuhr as well as her husband, Austrian pharmacist Leopold Neubuhr. The latter co-founded the chemical company H. Neubuhr GmbH & Co. KG, which is still active today. It’s likely that he and his family helped spread the Neubuhr name across Europe.

Outside of this famous German family, one of the most well-known people with this surname is American theologian Reinhold Neubuhr. He was an advocate of Christian realism, which promotes the idea of realism in politics.

In conclusion, the last name Neubuhr is quite common in Germany and other countries with large German populations. It also has some famous people associated with it, such as tapestry designer Margarete Neubuhr and theologian Reinhold Neubuhr.

Variations of the surname Neubuhr

The surname Neubuhr has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include: Neubehr, Neubhor, Neubhoehr, and Newbaur.

Neubehr and Neubhor are alternate spellings of Neubuhr and are common in Germany, Netherlands, and other parts of Europe. Neubhoehr is an alternate spelling commonly found in the United States. In America, the surname is often spelled as Newbaur.

In some instances, the Neubuhr surname has been used as a middle name. For instance, there are numerous records of people with the names Johann Martin Neubuhr or Wilhelm August Neubuhr.

The surname Neubuhr is thought to have derived from the Old German word Neubuoher which means "new builder". This indicates that it was a profession-based surname used to denote a certain trade. Some sources suggest that the Neubuhr family originated in Swabia, Germany.

There are still many variations and spellings of the Neubuhr surname. In some cases, it can be confused with the surnames Nuberman, niewbower, and Neumeier. However, given the unique spelling of the Neubuhr name, it is relatively easy to distinguish.

Famous people with the name Neubuhr

• Reinhold Neibuhr: He was an American theologian and Protestant preacher, best known as the author of "The Irony of American History". He is also remembered for his contributions to Christian realism, which brink theologians into dialogue with political and economic theories.
• Günther Neubauer: He was a German aircraft designer who was responsible for a number of design innovations, such as powered flight under controllable conditions. He was also a significant advocate of engine-powered flight.
• Elisabeth Neubauer: Consumer advocate and environmental activist, she is the founder of the European Consumer Organization (BEUC) and the European Environmental Bureau. She is a strong advocate of sustainability and consumer rights.
• Friedrich Julius Neubauer: An Austrian military officer, he was appointed as the commander of the Imperial-Royal Infantry 72. Neubauer served during the 1815 occupation of France, and the Austro-Turkish wars in the early 19th century.
• Alfred Neubauer: A celebrated German motor racing engineer, he worked in the sport between 1911 and 1939, most notably for Mercedes-Benz as their racing team manager and later head of the sports' department.
• Alexander Neubuhr: An influential German cartographer and archivist, he was best known for his work in the diplomatic field. He wrote the first two volumes of an extensive cartographic description of the Holy Roman Empire, which was used by many historians.
• Harold Neubuhr: A prominent American philosopher and theologian, he was greatly influenced by his brother Reinhold. He was known for his defence of "realistic" theology, and for his contributions to the Neo-Orthodox movement of the late 1930s and early 1940s.
• Sebastian Neubuhr: A German playwright, director and dramaturg, he was closely associated with the Berliner Ensemble theatre. He is noted for his use of history and current affairs as source material for satirical plays.

Other surnames

NeuburgNeuburgerNeubürger