Surname Birkners - Meaning and Origin

Birkners: What does the surname Birkners mean?

The last name Birkners is a German and Dutch surname. It is thought to have originated in the Middle Ages, and is derived from a term meaning "birch trees," referring to the Midland-north German region that was populated with numerous birch trees.

The most likely origin of the name comes from the Low German word ‘birc’, which was a reference to the distinct trees that were found amongst the area. In particular, it likely stemmed from Rhineland-Palatinate, which was where the name was recorded for the earliest time in 1678.

Birkner is also an occupational name, referring to someone who was employed by a church or local authority to tend to the birch trees in the region. Over time, this name has made its way into other countries as people have moved and migrated.

The Birkners family name is believed to have been borne by many people across Europe, especially in the Middle Ages when rural settlements often bore families of similar name. Today, there are numerous people with the family name spread around the world, particularly in mainland Europe, as well as North America, Australia, and South Africa.

Although the exact meaning of the name may have changed over time, the Birkners family name still conveys a strong sense of family connection and heritage. It is a reminder of the past, and a reminder of the importance of looking to the future.

Birkners: Where does the name Birkners come from?

The last name Birkners is mainly associated with Germany, with highest concentrations located in the Sachsen-Anhalt and Brandenburg regions. It is also common in the Czech Republic, particularly in the northern and eastern parts of the country. In some other European countries like France, Austria and the Netherlands, the name is also present but with far fewer families.

The surname is a patronymic name, derived from the Christian male given name Bircmar, which is composed of two Germanic elements: “birch” and “fame”. This name was associated with Birka, an 8th-century Swedish trading town on the island of Björkö, which was the earliest urban settlement in Scandinavia.

The earliest recorded example of the Birkners surname being used may be from Thuringia, where a charter regarding the Prussian Zum Graven estate mentions a certain Birchenerus in the 12th Century.

In modern times, the last name is very common in Germany. It is the 817th most common surname in the country, with approximately 8,156 people having the name. In the United States, Birkners is a much less common name and it is mainly associated with German immigrants who moved to the country. Finally, the surname is widely used in the Czech Republic, with 4,450 people having either the Birkner or the feminized version Birknerová.

Variations of the surname Birkners

The surname Birkners is derived from the German word birk, meaning ‘birch tree’, and the ending –er, which denotes someone from or connected with a place named Birken. Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include Birkenauer, Birkenhorst, Birkenmeier, Birkenoj, Birchen, Birkner, Birden, Birdine, Biercker and Botkin.

Birkner (or Birchener or Birchener) is a German surname associated with the regions of Bavaria, Franconia and Brandenburg. The surname is derived from the Old German word birk, meaning birch tree, and the ending –er, which denotes someone from or connected with a place named Birken. It is also the Germanized version of the name Birkenhorst, which was a popular German locational name meaning “settlement with birch trees” or those living near birch trees.

Those bearing the Birkner surname may have emigrated from Germany to places such as the United States, France, and England. In the United States, the surname Birkner is most commonly found in the states of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, and Ohio. Some variations of the Birkner surname in the United States are Berckner, Bercner, Berkner, Bircker, Birkner, and Burkner.

In France, the surname is generally spelled as Birkner or Birkenne while in England, it is spelled as Birchener or Birchenner.

Many who have emigrated from Germany have changed their surname to a French or English version over the years in order to be more accepted and assimilated into their new homelands.

Famous people with the name Birkners

• Ray Birkner Jr.: A former American football offensive lineman who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears.
• Michael Birkner: An American historian and the Hammond Professor of the Civil War Era at Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
• Oliver Birkner: A German professional footballer who plays as forward for 1.FC Union Berlin.
• Julia Birkner: An Austrian tennis player.
• Edward Birkner: A professional ice hockey player who last played for the Toledo Walleye in the ECHL.
• Erich Birkner: A German footballer who plays as a midfielder for Havant & Waterlooville.
• John Birkner: A multi-disciplined award-winning journalist and author of the historical fiction novel 'Lotusland'.
• Jennifer Birkner: An American politician who currently serves as a Member of the New Jersey General Assembly from the 15th Legislative District.
• Erwin Birkner: An Austrian former football striker who was active in the 1920s and 1930s.
• Helen Birkner: An Austrian artistic gymnast who competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
• Andi Birkner: An Austrian figure skater who is known for competing in the junior level of the ISU Junior Grand Prix series.
• Vincent Birkner: A German professional ice hockey player who currently plays with Nürnberg Ice Tigers in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga.
• Jürgen Birkner: A German former footballer who was active in the late 1970s and 1980s.
• Laura Birkner: A German figure skater who competes in the singles discipline.
• Gary Birkner: An American professional wrestler who is best known for his appearances with the National Wrestling Alliance from the 1990s to the 2000s.

Other surnames

Birkner