Surname von Behr - Meaning and Origin
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von Behr: What does the surname von Behr mean?
The last name von Behr is of German origin, deriving from a family seat located in Behr in the Westphalia region of present-day Germany. The 'von' portion of the name denotes a noble family, and suggests that the family once held a noble title, small estate, or special privilege. In fact, von Behr was adopted by the family as a sign of their status following the end of the Imperialistic period in Germany, when titles of nobility were abolished.
In literal terms, von Behr means 'from Behr'. During the Middle Ages, many Germans adopted a topographical surname, which was derived from the place they used to live or the place they actually came from. This explains why the von Behr surname translates to from 'Behr', a small city located in the North Rhine-Westphali region of present-day Germany.
Today, descendants of the von Behr family can be found in both Germany and elsewhere around the world. Though their noble connections and titles may have faded away with time, the name still serves as a reminder of their noble heritage and of a place they once called home.
Order DNA origin analysisvon Behr: Where does the name von Behr come from?
The last name von Behr is most commonly found in Germany and Austria. According to MyHeritage.com, the von Behr family name originates in areas such as Germany, Austria, Northern Italy, and the Czech Republic. It is also found in parts of Sweden, Poland, Slovakia, and Russia. This name can also be found throughout a number of countries in Europe, as well as in some parts of North and South America.
In Germany, the name von Behr is strongly associated with the Upper Bavarian region where it is most widely found. It is also quite common among the Silesian population of East Germany, and in some areas of the former West Germany. There is even a street in Berlin, called Bebelsstrasse, which is named after the von Behr family.
In Austria, the von Behr family name appears to have originated in Lower Austria, where it is still the most common today. Vienna also has a street called von Behr Gasse, as well as a family of von Behrs living there.
The von Behr name is also found in some parts of the United States. According to censuses, von Behr families have been present in the US since the 1820s. It is likely that the original von Behr immigrants were traders and craftsman who brought their name with them from Europe.
Today, von Behr is still a common last name throughout Europe and North America. It is associated with both the upper classes and the middle classes, as well as with people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds.
Variations of the surname von Behr
The surname von Behr has a variety of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
The most common variant of the surname is “von Behr”, while some other variations include “Von-Behr”, “von Behren”, “von Beer”, “von Behre”, and “von Ber”.
The surname von Behr derives from German origins and is a topographical surname, meaning it is typically based on a geographic feature or area. It originally referred to someone who lived on or by a river called the ‘Behr’.
In Germany, the most common spellings of von Behr are “von Behrens”, “von Ber”, and “von Berens”. In the United States, where the largest populations of von Behr immigrants are located, the most common spellings are “von Behr” and “von Behrens”.
Other surnames of the same origin include “Behrman”, “Behr”, “Behrmann”, “Behrns”, “Berner”, and “Berndt”.
The prefix ‘von’ typically denotes nobility or a white-collar profession in Germany, so if someone has this prefix in their surname, they may have noble or upper-class roots.
In short, the surname von Behr has a variety of variants, spellings, and related surnames of the same origin due to its German toponymic origins. These include “von Behr”, “Von-Behr”, “von Behren”, “von Beer”, “von Behre”, and “von Ber” in Germany, and “Behrman”, “Behr”, “Behrmann”, “Behrns”, “Berner”, and “Berndt” in the United States. The use of the prefix ‘von’ may also denote a noble or upper-class family history.
Famous people with the name von Behr
- Countess Dorothy von Behr (1883-1966), a German World War I nurse and later a British author and socialite
- Annagreta von Behr (1926-2017), a Swedish actress
- Konstantin von Behr (born 1986), a German football player
- Olga von Behr (1890–1955), a Russian writer, diplomat, and salonsnière
- Max von Behr (1854-1938), a German naturalist, marine zoologist, and malacologist
- Margravine Maria Anna Charlotte von Behr (1752-1831), a Prussian courtier
- Carl Ernst von Behr (1748-1816), a Prussian military officer and politician
- Friedrich Wilhelm von Behr (1819-1895), a German professor of Chemistry
- Axel von Behr (1863-1945), a German banker and cultural and art administrator
- Lucas von Behr (1861–1930), a German professor of Economics, Political Sciences, and Law.