Surname Bechner - Meaning and Origin
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Bechner: What does the surname Bechner mean?
The last name Bechner is German in origin and derived from the Old German word "buchinâr." This word was used to describe someone who was a bookseller, accountant or bookkeeper. The original meaning of the word was "someone who handles books," which would make sense considering this is an occupational name.
The Bechner surname is most prevalent in the United States, Germany and Austria. In the U.S., it is mainly found in the eastern half of the country, with concentrations in Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, and Illinois. It is also common in Canada.
The Bechner family likely originated in the German states of Bavaria, Thuringia and Saxony. The earliest known ancestor bearing this name is Johannis Bechner, who was a parish priest in Buchin, Thuringia, in the year 1590.
The Bechner surname is both singular and plural, and can be found spelled as Bechner, Beschner, Beckner, Bechnor, bechnerg and Beschner. Spelling variations of this surname evolved between the 17th and 19th centuries when literacy was more difficult. Despite its Germanic origins, the Bechner name is mainly association with the United States, having been brought over by German migrants during the 19th century. The Bechner family is one of many who have added richness and variety to the cultural mosaic of the United States.
Order DNA origin analysisBechner: Where does the name Bechner come from?
The last name Bechner is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and the Netherlands. In Germany the surname Bechner is most common in the state of Bavaria, in Austria the last name is most frequently found in Vienna, and in Slovakia and the Czech Republic it is mainly concentrated around Bohemia. Bechner is also quite common in the Netherlands, especially in the provinces of Gelderland, North Brabant, and Limburg.
It is likely that the surname Bechner originated in what is now Germany and Austria, and that it spread to the Netherlands and Czech Republic during different periods of migration. In the 16th and 17th centuries, there were many waves of migration as a result of religious unrest and economic opportunities, which would have contributed to the dispersion of the surname Bechner.
Today, the last name Bechner is quite widespread across the European continent and beyond. People bearing this last name can be found living in countries such as Australia, the United States, Canada, and even South America. Given its spread and diversity, the last name Bechner seems to represent a truly global community.
Variations of the surname Bechner
The surname Bechner originates from the German language. It may be spelled differently in different languages, but the same meaning is retained. Some variants, spellings, and alternate surnames of Bechner include Becher, Bechter, Beckner, Beker, Bechner, Backner, Bekker, and Böckner.
The given name 'Bechner' likely originates from a nickname, derived from the German word “bacher”, which means “brewer”. Thus, the original surname likely indicated a person who worked as a brewer at some point in time. In some instances, it may have also referred to a person who ran a tavern or inn. Over time, it has become more commonly associated with the occupation of brewing beer.
The surname is common in Germany and can be found throughout many other parts of the world today, including North America, Australia, and South America, due to emigration from the area of origin. As a result of this emigration, there has been a significant amount of variation in the spelling of the surname, and these various versions are accepted as distinct surnames.
In some cases, the surname has been modified in various languages from its original German spelling. For example, in the United States and Canada, Becher may be used in place of Bechner. In Russian, the surname may be spelled as Bychner; in Polish, Becner; and in Yiddish, Bekher. Similarly, some spelling variants can also be found in other languages, such as Beker in Dutch and Beckner in Hungarian.
Overall, Bechner is a German surname that has been adapted with variations in various languages based on location, culture, and tradition. The various forms refer to the same original Germanic name but provide a unique identity according to local settings and accents.
Famous people with the name Bechner
- Alex Bechner: Major League Baseball pitcher from The Netherlands
- Mikhail Bechner: Russian actor and director
- Adolf Bechner: Austrian philosopher
- Zuzana Bechnerova: Czech painter and illustrator
- Josh Bechner: American lead vocalist for punk rock band Beat Union
- Bill Bechner: American actor and stunt performer
- Richard Bechner: English actor
- Adolfo Bechner: Argentine contemporary classical music composer
- Juergen Bechner: German conductor and cellist
- Yvonne Bechner: Dutch flutist and teacher