Surname Bergen - Meaning and Origin
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Bergen: What does the surname Bergen mean?
Bergen is a surname of both Norwegian and Dutch origins. In Norwegian, "Bergen" is derived from Old Norse 'Bjǫrgvin', typically translated as "meadow between the mountains" and it's the second largest city in Norway. In Dutch, the name Bergen translates as "mountains" or "hills", which could indicate that the person’s ancestors came from a hilly or mountainous area. It might also be a regional name for someone from any of the numerous places named with this word in Belgium and the Netherlands. The surname Bergen can also be a variation of the Jewish surname Bergman or Berger. It's important to note that surnames can have multiple origins and meanings as they often reflect the geographic, occupational, or personal characteristics of an individual’s ancestors.
Order DNA origin analysisBergen: Where does the name Bergen come from?
The surname Bergen has Nordic origins, specifically from Norway. It's derived from the city of Bergen, the second largest in Norway. The term "Bergen" itself means "mountain" or "hill", reflecting the city's hilly landscape. It was initially used as a geographical identifier, likely for individuals who hailed from Bergen.
Although it originated in Norway, the surname has spread to countries around the world due to migration and the movement of people over centuries. Today, the last name Bergen is found not only in Norway but also significantly in other nations, particularly the United States, Germany, and Canada. It has also found its way to other countries in smaller numbers.
This surname has many variants including Van Bergen, Bergan, Bergin, and more due to regional differences and translations. As it comes from a common geographical feature, similar versions of this surname can be found in different cultures and languages. For instance, "Berg" or "Berger" are common in German-speaking countries. The distribution of the surname today demonstrates the extensive historical movement and dispersion of people from the Nordic region.
Variations of the surname Bergen
The surname Bergen is of Germanic, Dutch, and Norwegian origin, which means "mountain" or as a habitational name from any of the numerous places in Norway named with this word. The other forms and similar surnames include: Bergan, Berger, Bergin, Bergyn, Berghan, Berghen, and Bergham.
Alternative Dutch spellings for Bergen can be van Bergen, Berghen, or Bergenhenegouwen. Especially in the Netherlands, it was common to add “van” before the surname (meaning “from”), referring to a geographical location.
There are also Swedish ties to the name, where it can be spelt as Bjergen, Biergen or Berggren.
It is also plausible to find other variations, especially in countries like Germany and Austria, for instance, Bergmann, Bergner, or Bergmeister, where the root "Berg-" is combined with other words.
In the Irish context, the surname Bergen can be an anglicization of the Gaelic Ó hEacháin or Ó hEachthighearna.
As with many surnames, spelling variants evolved over time and were often influenced by factors such as immigration, regional dialects, and literacy levels.
Famous people with the name Bergen
- Candice Bergen: An award-winning American actress best known for her roles in Murphy Brown and Boston Legal. She is the daughter of Edgar Bergen.
- Edgar Bergen: A popular American actor and radio performer; he was one of the most successful ventriloquists of his time. He is the father of Candice Bergen.
- Polly Bergen: An Emmy-winning American actress and singer popular in the 1950s and 1960s, best known for her roles in Cape Fear and The Sopranos.
- Frances Bergen: A model and actress, married to Edgar Bergen and mother of Candice Bergen.
- Bob Bergen: An American voice actor best known for his work in animated films including the Looney Tunes franchise where he voices Porky Pig.
- Murry Dickson: Born Murry Monroe Dickson Bergen, he was an American professional baseball pitcher in the Major League Baseball who played for several teams.
- Chris Bergen: A recognized Irish singer who participated in the Eurovision Song Contest.
- Marty Bergen: An American Major League Baseball catcher during the late 19th century.
- Marty Bergen: A well-known American bridge player.
- Kris Bergen: An American film editor who's worked on films like As Good as it Gets and Jerry Maguire.