Surname Behneke - Meaning and Origin

Behneke: What does the surname Behneke mean?

The last name Behneke is of German origin and is most commonly found in the northern German states of Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein, and Brandenburg. It is an occupational surname that was primarily derived from the Middle High German word “behn”, or “Behen”, meaning farmer. This likely denoted a person who worked as a small-scale peasant farmer or laborer in the Middle Ages.

The surname Behneke is a variant of the more commonly found name “Behnke”, which also has roots in the “behn” word and is used in the same way. As a result, both surnames are often used interchangeably in German genealogy records.

Behneke is a patronymic surname, which means that it was adopted by the children of the original bearer of the surname. As a result, it is a relatively common family name in Germany, particularly in the north. It is also found in other parts of Central and Eastern Europe, such as Poland and Russia.

The Behneke surname has been found in Germany since at least the 16th century, and it is likely that the family has been living in the area since even earlier. Although the name is most commonly used in parts of Germany, it is also found in other countries, including the United States and Canada. So, while the name might not be common everywhere, it does have a fairly long history in many regions.

Behneke: Where does the name Behneke come from?

The last name Behneke is fairly common in parts of the United States, especially in the Midwest.

Behneke is primarily a German-origin surname that is found in parts of the Midwest including Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan. The surname likely has its origin in the Old German name "Benneko" or "Behenco" which, in turn, could have come from the name "Bernhard" meaning "strong bear".

Behneke is also a common surname in parts of northern Germany, especially the states of Beglin and Schleswig-Holstein. One survey suggests that the name is found in the most remote parts of northern Germany.

Behneke is also a fairly common surname in the Netherlands. It is believed that this surname likely also had its origin in Germany and eventually spread across the Netherlands due to immigration.

In addition, the surname is found in small pockets of Canada, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Belgium. It is also quite common in Australia, particularly among the German settlers of the colonies of the late 1800s.

Overall, the surname Behneke is quite common in countries with a strong German cultural heritage. It is likely to remain a fairly common surname due to the name's wide appeal and historical significance.

Variations of the surname Behneke

The surname Behneke is an ancestral surname that was most likely derived from the Germanic personal name Beohhan, which means ‘one who lives in the bright meadow’. The surname Behneke is found in various spelling variations and surnames of similar origin, including:

-Behnke

-Behnken

-Behnkens

-Behnkins

-Behnkings

-Behnkin

-Behnking

-Beneke

-Benecke

-Benicken

-Benning

-Beonke

-Beunke

-Bihneke

The most prominent spelling variation of the surname Behneke is Behnke. Behnke is the most widely used form of the surname throughout Europe and is typically found in Germany, Netherlands, and other parts of Northern Europe. The Dutch form of the surname is usually Benecke, which is also seen in other parts of Europe, including Austria and Switzerland.

The spelling variations of the surname Behneke are quite numerous. Some other notable variants of the surname include Behnkens, Behnkins, and Behnkin. Additionally, the surname can be found in Anglicized spellings, such as Bihneke.

The surname Behneke also has some interesting variants in other languages, such as Belgian Dutch, where it is known as Beunke. Furthermore, in Latin, the surname can be translated to Benning.

Overall, the surname Behneke is found in many different variations, spellings, and surnames of similar origin. Each variation of the surname has its own unique origin and history, which gives it a unique character and identity.

Famous people with the name Behneke

• Jan Behneke: German silver medalist swimmer in 400 m medley at the 2012 London Olympics
• Joe Behneke: Professional footballer for the Minnesota Vikings
• Alexander Behneke: German track and field athlete who competed in the decathlon
• Paul Behneke: Austrian actor, television presenter and filmmaker
• Michelle Behneke: Retired American professional volleyball player
• Alicia Behneke: German professional model and actress
• Chris Behneke: Retired German ice hockey player
• Frieda Behneke: Jazz vocalist and songwriter
• Rupert Behneke: German jazz violinist
• Torsten Behneke: Footballer and coach from Germany

Other surnames

BehneBehneckeBehnekingBehnemannBehnenBehnert