Surname Böllinger - Meaning and Origin

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W. Böllinger

Böllinger: What does the surname Böllinger mean?

The surname Böllinger is an occupational name meaning "clog maker". It is of German origin and dates back to as early as the 13th Century. Clogs were a common form of footwear worn by peasants and laborers throughout Europe and were made of thick and sturdy wooden soles. To make them, clog makers (or Böllinger) would carve the wooden soles from blocks of wood with chisels and saws, and assemble them together with leather pieces, cloth, and nails.

Clogs were an economical and practical form of footwear and were especially valued in the countryside and in rural areas. As such, the surname Böllinger came to be associated with the making and selling of these shoes. It is thought that the name Böllinger was first used by a person who was known for making or selling clogs.

The surname Böllinger is still used today but, over the years, its meaning has shifted slightly. It is no longer associated with the specific occupation of clog making, and is now used as a general surname. While the current definition of the surname Böllinger may have evolved, it still carries with it the legacy of its original meaning of "clog maker".

Böllinger: Where does the name Böllinger come from?

The last name Böllinger is most commonly found today within Germany and the surrounding areas. It is not a very common surname, making up less than 0.008% of German surnames. Its highest concentration appears to be in the state of Thuringia, which makes up almost a quarter of its total population.

The geographical origins of the name are unclear. It could possibly have derived from the Old German word ‘bellinger’, which refers to a person who lives near a bell tower. It is also possible that the name came from the Middle German word ‘bölingehüs’ which refers to an elevated house.

Alternative spellings of the name Böllinger include Boellinger, Boelling, Bollinger, Böling, and Bülling. However, all these spellings are variants of the original name Böllinger.

Today, the Böllinger surname is still found primarily in Germany and the surrounding regions. The name is also present in the United States, particularly in Texas and Virginia. It is also found in other countries such as Canada, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands.

Despite its relative scarcity, the Böllinger name continues to demonstrate its prominence across different countries and regions. With a long and varied history, the name is sure to remain present for many years to come.

Variations of the surname Böllinger

The surname Böllinger can be spelt a number of different ways depending on the country of origin. It may appear with a single 'l', Bohlinger or Bolinger, or with a double 'l', Böhlinger, Bøhlinger, Böhler, Bohler, Böhler, Boehler, Boler, Böller, Bohller, Boller, Bollinger, Bölling, Bolling, Böling, Boling or Bollinger.

The surname may also vary to Boellinger, Boellinger, Bellinger, Bellinger, Beuling, Beuling, Beulling or Buelling, while the Dutch versions of the surname are often Bolinger or Bolling.

Related surnames to Böllinger include Böll, Böllinger, Böller, Bolinger, Bueler, Buhler, Böllen, Buelen, Bøhling, Böhlke, Böllmann, Böhme, Bollmann, Böhm, Buell and Boller.

These surnames originate from the Middle High German word 'bollinger' or 'botlinger' which began as a local name for a person who kept bees. The use of the surname tends to be concentrated in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Holland and the United States.

The Böllinger surname is also found in France, England, Scotland, Ireland, Russia, Belarus, Sweden, Denmark and other European countries, as well as countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Colombia.

In addition, the surname is perhaps most famously associated with renowned German theologian, philosopher and educator Rudolf Bultmann, as well as modern historian and museologist Hans Böllinger, as well as LED inventor Werner Böllinger.

Famous people with the name Böllinger

• Efka Böllinger: Efka Böllinger is a German football manager and former player, who currently works for Werder Bremen.
• Rainer Böllinger: Rainer Böllinger is a German alternative photographer and author.
• Dorotea Böllinger: Dorotea Böllinger is a Swiss actor primarily known for her roles in Swiss films.
• Stephan Böllinger: Stephan Böllinger is a German politician and member of the Social Democratic Party of Germany, as well as the former mayor of the municipality of Möglingen.
• Anja Böllinger: Anja Böllinger is a German actress, primarily known for her roles in films such as "Persuasion" and "Keep Refreshing the Page".
• Uwe Böllinger: Uwe Böllinger is a German theatre director and playwright, primarily known for his works "Der Glaube an die Liebe" and "Schöne Landschaft".
• Illa Böllinger: Illa Böllinger is a Swiss singer and songwriter. She is known for her folk and blues inspired songs as well as her rich lyrical style.
• Niko Böllinger: Niko Böllinger is a Swiss ski mountaineer and Ski-Alpine racer, who has won several East-Swiss Championships.
• Peter Böllinger: Peter Böllinger was an Austrian record-setter for the marathon, having won the Montreux-Geneva Marathon in 1986

Other surnames

Bolling