Surname Berend - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'B'
Berend: What does the surname Berend mean?
The last name Berend is of German and Jewish origin. The word Berend is derived from the Middle High German word berand which referred to someone who had a protective nature. In Germany, the name is also found in areas such as Prussia, a historically influential region in northern Germany.
The name Berend is thought to have been used by both Jewish and Christian communities in Germany and Austria in the 17th century. It is believed that it was likely adopted from a German phrase meaning “to become strong” or “to be brave”. In addition, the name Berend may have been used either as a nickname or sign of respect by someone whose last name was either Berendt or Berenz.
There are many variations of the name Berend. Depending on the region, the spelling could have been Berent, Bernstein, Bernd, Berentz and other variations. The name may also have been changed to other versions of its spelling such as Bärnd or Behrend. It is also speculated that the name was changed to Bernstein over time, a surname commonly found in German speaking countries.
In today’s world, the Berend name is primarily found in Jewish and German communities. Regardless of its origins or variations, the name today is still most commonly associated with a strong and protective nature.
Order DNA origin analysisBerend: Where does the name Berend come from?
The last name Berend is most commonly found in areas of Eastern Europe, including Poland, Germany, Romania, Hungary, and Slovakia. It is also found in small numbers in the Czech Republic, France, Austria, and the Netherlands. As of 2019, the last name Berend is most frequently used in Poland, where it is the 367th most popular surname, and in Germany, where it ranks as the 2013th most common surname.
In terms of international frequency, Berend is most widespread in Poland, where it is held by 2,341 people. It is then followed in popularity by the United States (1,020 people), Germany (767 people), Romania (543 people), and Hungary (503 people). There are also smaller concentrations of the name in the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Brazil, and the Netherlands.
Perhaps due to migration, the name Berend is also found among residents of the United States and Canada, as well as various countries in South America. It is estimated that there now 11,280 people worldwide who bear the surname Berend.
Given its prevalence in Eastern Europe, it is likely that the surname Berend has its origins in an area such as Germany or Poland. The name is of Germanic origin. It would have originally been spelled "Berent," the Germanic form of the name.
Variations of the surname Berend
The surname Berend is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word 'berent', which means 'bear'. It is most commonly seen in the Netherlands, Germany and other German-speaking countries. The variants, spelling and surnames of the same origin are:
Bernd - This is essentially the same spelling as the original surname, only with the 'e' and the 'r' swapped around. It is the most common variant.
Berndt - This is another variant of Berend, this time with an added 't' at the end.
Beerent - This variant is derived from the Middle High German 'berent', meaning 'bear' as mentioned above.
Peer - This variant is derived from the Middle High German 'pero', which means 'bear'.
Berndes - This variant is derived from the Middle High German 'berende', which also means 'bear'.
Berents - This variant is derived from the Middle High German 'berende', again meaning 'bear'.
Berentz - This variant is derived from the Middle High German 'berende', with the addition of a 'z' at the end.
Barndt - This variant is derived from the Middle High German 'berent', with the 'e' being replaced with an 'a' at the front.
Beerndt - This variant is derived from the Middle High German 'berent', with the 'e' at the front being replaced with an 'ee'.
Baerent - This variant is derived from the Middle High German 'berent', with an added 'a' at the front.
Berentsz - This variant is derived from the Middle High German 'berende', with an added 'z' at the end.
Famous people with the name Berend
- Denise Berend: Dutch former professional tennis player.
- Robbie Berend: American actor who appears on the television series House of Lies.
- Eddy Berend: Dutch electronic musician and composer.
- Arne Berend: German footballer who plays for Borussia Monchengladbach.
- Meghan Berend: American sky diver who competed in the 2016 and 2017 Red Bull Air Race World Championship Series.
- Stephan Berend: German former professional association football player.
- Jorgen Berend: Norwegian sprint canoer who competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics.
- Michael Berend: German actor who appeared in the film You Always Lie.
- Sam Berend: Professional surfer who won the 2005 US Open of Surfing.
- Scott Berend: Australian stunt performer who appeared in the 2015 film Mad Max: Fury Road.