Surname Behn - Meaning and Origin
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Behn: What does the surname Behn mean?
The last name Behn is a German surname of Jewish origin. It is derived from the Hebrew word ‘beh’ meaning ‘son of’, and is thought to have originated in the medieval Jewish communities of Germany where many similar family names were formed. In German, the name is pronounced ‘Been’.
Behn is typically an Ashkenazi Jewish name and is most common in Germany, though it may also exist in other parts of Europe. It is an occupational or nickname surname, most likely given to the son of a beekeeper. ‘Behn’ or ‘behn’ also means ‘by’ in old German, though this is a less likely meaning for the surname Behn.
In modern times, the last name Behn is a popular choice for a variety of reasons. It is an auspicious name in Judaism and has a long history of usage in Europe and the Middle East. Additionally, it has an attractive sound and is easy to spell.
The surname Behn is still commonly used in many countries around the world today, both as a given name and as a surname. This is especially true among those of Jewish ancestry, though it is now becoming more common among a wider range of people. It is a meaningful and attractive choice of name, with its historical and ethnic roots still evident.
Order DNA origin analysisBehn: Where does the name Behn come from?
The last name Behn is most commonly found in Germany today. The name likely has Germanic origins, though it is also found among people with Jewish ancestry.
In Germany, the name Behn can be mainly found in the northern states. The state of Schleswig-Holstein has the most occurrences of the name in the country, with the city of Hamburg having the highest concentration of it. On the whole, this last name is one of the thousands of German surnames and it is believed to have had its origins in the late medieval period.
The name Behn is also comparatively more common among people with Jewish ancestry who trace their lineage to Judaism. This is mainly because German Jews adopted the last names of their local non-Jewish neighbors during the 18th and 19th centuries in order to blend into the population. Therefore, in places with a large Jewish population, the last name Behn can be found with higher frequency.
Outside of Germany, Behn can be found in other countries such as the United States, Canada, and England. They may have followed German immigrants who settled in those countries or were of Jewish descent coming from Germany. It is also possible that their origin lies with countries outside German borders and Jewish diaspora, as the name Behn has several far-reaching roots in other parts of Europe.
Variations of the surname Behn
The surname Behn is derived from the German given name Benedict. Other variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin include Benn, Bennet, Bennetts, Bennette, Bennie, Bennison, Bannister, Bannin, Bennison, Benison, and Benes.
The surname Behn originated during the Middle Ages when the addition of an “s” or “es” to the end of a name distinguished that person from the rest of the general population. The surname is most commonly found in German-speaking countries and is derived from the Old German given name “Benedictus” meaning “blessed”.
Behn is a spelling variant of Benn, meaning “son of Benjamin” or, “son of the right hand”, which is derived from the Hebrew word Benyamin. This spelling variant is found typically in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany.
A common variant in England and Scotland is Bennet or Bennett. This spelling variant dates back to the Norman Conquest in the 11th century. Bannin and Bannister are forms of Bennett, derived from the Norman French word “banastre”, meaning “a basket or hamper”.
Bennie is the short form of the Scottish name Bennett. Bennett and Bennie are often used as given names, as well as surnames. Bennison is another variant of the surname and is found mainly in northern England.
Benison, Benes, and Benedicton are variants of Behn which became popular in the 19th and 20th centuries. Benison is derived from collections of people in the United States sharing the same surname. Benes is mainly found in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, while Benedicton is found in the United Kingdom.
Famous people with the name Behn
- Michael Behn: an American musician, known for his contributions to the world of funk music.
- Apollo William Behn: a Danish-Icelandic actor and singer.
- Joanna Behn: a Canadian actress and comedian.
- Kurt Behn: a German cinematographer.
- Martin Behn: a German-Polish poet and publisher.
- Saul Behn: a British record producer and engineer.
- Robert Behn: an American public administration professor and policy analyst.
- Johan Behn: a Finnish pastor and author.
- Mark Behn: an American novelist and screenwriter.
- Sybille Behn: a German journalist and author.