Surname Behler - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'B'
Behler: What does the surname Behler mean?
The surname Behler is of German origin and is primarily found in northern Germany. The name is derived from the Middle Low German term "behal", which means marshal. This term was used in the Medieval times to denote a high-ranking court official or person responsible for the protection of a household or of a district. Thus, the person bearing the surname Behler could have been associated with such a role. However, much like other surnames, the name Behler might have been associated with a variety of roles, professions or locations over the course of history. Overall, it is a patronymic surname denoting the profession of the original bearer. As it's always the case with surnames, the meaning can change with spelling variations and regional differences.
Order DNA origin analysisBehler: Where does the name Behler come from?
The last name Behler has roots in Germanic culture and is most likely derived from the early medieval Germanic personal name "Berto", which is a shortened version of any various compound names formed with "berht", meaning bright or famous. The context for this name primarily used in patronyms to imply "son of Berto". This surname was first found in Prussia, where the name emerged in medieval times as one of the notable families of the region.
Today, the surname Behler is most commonly found in the United States, particularly in the state of Pennsylvania, based on frequency per thousand people. However, there are also significant populations in Germany, particularly in North Rhine-Westphalia, and in other parts of Europe including France. Additionally, some Behler families have migrated to other parts of the world, including South America and Australia. Despite these geographical spreads, Behler is not a very common surname globally. It is especially less common outside of regions with high levels of German immigration.
Variations of the surname Behler
The surname Behler is of German origin. Its variants and similar surnames include Bühler, Buehler, Bealer, Boehler, Böhler, Buhler, Bohler, Byhler, Bieler, and Beiler. The spelling changes are typically related to geographical regions and local dialects in different parts of Germany and other German-speaking regions. These distinct spellings can often indicate the specific regions where the ancestors of individuals with this surname originated.
Moreover, these surnames might be derived from the Middle High German term "Bühel" or "Bühl", meaning "hill" or "knoll". It was often used as a topographic name designating someone who lived on a hill. Hence, these surnames may refer to the geographical feature of the family's location.
It should be noted that surname distribution and spelling can change over generations due to immigration and the ensuing anglicization or adaptation to other languages. For example, the umlauts in Bühler or Böhler might be dropped or replaced by "ue" or "oe" in English-speaking regions, resulting in Buehler or Boehler. It should be noted that the spelling variations do not necessarily reflect a change in pronunciation.
Famous people with the name Behler
- Caitlyn Behler: Caitlyn is an actress who has appeared in films such as Aquaman (2018) and Every Day (2018).
- Eliza Behler: Eliza is a television actress who has appeared in shows such as Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2005) and Oz (1996).
- David Behler: David is an American film director, cinematographer, and editor best known for his work on the films Overlord (2018) and Insidious: The Last Key (2018).
- Joe Behler: Joe is an American singer/songwriter and bassist who has performed with bands such as White Zombie and Powerman 5000.
- Eric Behler: Eric is a zoologist who has conducted research into animal behavior and conservation at places such as the San Diego Zoo.
- Janice Behler: Janice is a former head nurse of the University of Michigan Medical Center.
- Peter Behler: Peter is a professional basketball player from Germany, who currently plays for Mitteldeutscher BC in the German Basketball League.
- Tom Behler: Tom is an American businessman who founded the engineering and consulting firm Behler Consulting.
- Christopher Behler: Christopher is an American composer, pianist, and electronic music producer.