Meaning & History
Behrends is a German surname derived from the given name Bernd, a short form of Bernhard. The ultimate root is the Old German element bern "bear" combined with hart "hard, firm, brave, hardy", giving the name the meaning "bear-hardy" or "strong as a bear".
Etymology and History
The name Bernard was introduced to England by the Normans, where it replaced the Old English cognate Beornheard. The surname Behrends, along with its variant Behrend, emerged in German-speaking regions as a patronymic, meaning "son of Bernd" or "of Bernd". The spelling with an 's' reflects typical North German and Low German patronymic formations.
Notable Bearers
Several notable individuals have borne the surname Behrends. Heinrich Behrends (1916–2002) was a German military officer during World War II. Hermann Behrends (1907–1948) was a German Nazi SS officer executed for war crimes. Jan C. Behrends (born 1969) is a German historian, and Leffmann Behrends (1630–1714) served as a German financial agent. The surname also appears as a variant of Behrendt in some contexts.
Distribution and Variants
The surname Behrends is primarily found in Germany, with concentrations in Lower Saxony and Bremen. Related surnames across other cultures include variations like Bernhard (German), Bernard (English and Slovene), Bernat (Catalan), Bernardi (Italian), Berntsen (Norwegian), Barends (Dutch), and Bernardová (Czech).
- Meaning: Derived from Bernd, ultimately meaning "bear-hardy"
- Origin: German
- Type: Surname patronymic
- Usage regions: Germany (especially North Germany)
Related Names
Sources: Wikipedia — Behrends