Surname Behnicke - Meaning and Origin
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Behnicke: What does the surname Behnicke mean?
The last name Behnicke has German origins. It is derived from the Old High German word “bening,” meaning “dweller of the bend” or “the one from the bend of the river.” In its original form, the name would have been spelled “Behnig.”
The name Behnicke likely originated in the present-day region of Saxony, located in the southeastern part of Germany. The area is known for its dense forests and varied landscapes, and its name evokes images of rolling hills and sweeping vistas.
Behnicke is a relatively uncommon last name, though it is common in the areas of Germany from which it originated. It is estimated to be shared by fewer than 3,000 people in Germany today. As is often the case in German surnames, the surname itself is used to indicate the family’s region of origin.
The family behind the name Behnicke may have once been part of the nobility, though it is difficult to trace them back far enough to be certain. Still, the name has deep roots in the history of Germany, and its legacy lives on today.
Order DNA origin analysisBehnicke: Where does the name Behnicke come from?
The last name Behnicke is most commonly found in Germany, with records of the name being found as far back as the 1600s in the Upper Harz area. It has since spread out into other parts of Germany, and can also be found in some Eastern European countries such as Lithuania and Czechia.
The name derives from the given name Bamik or Beniczke, and likely originated as a nickname given to an ancestor of the current bearer. Historically, the name has been popular with both nobility and commoners alike, with one of its most famous bearers being a pre-World War II politician named Hans Behnicke.
Today, the last name continues to be relatively popular in Germany. Records suggest it can be generally found throughout Germany, with its highest concentrations being in the northwest, around Hamburg, and in the northeast around Berlin. It has spread to other countries as well, with records showing it can be found in places such as France, Australia, and even the United States.
Despite its childhood, the last name Behnicke remains widely found in and around Germany, even if its former nobility-associated status has since faded away. It is likely to continue to grow in other parts of the world as people choose to move and start families in different countries.
Variations of the surname Behnicke
The surname Behnicke has multiple variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. This surname is commonly found as Behanke, Behaneke, Behinke, Bahnicke, Böhnecke, Behnecke, Behneke, and Bähnke. It is also found as Behnicke von Gersdorff, though this variant is usually only found in German Evangelical church records.
The spelling of the surname can indicate origin, with Behnicke spelling more commonly found in East Prussia, while the variant spellings with an accent on the e (Béhnicke) are more often found in West Prussia.
Behnicke is primarily a German and Dutch surname, derived from the Old Germanbeahn meaning ‘a house’ or ‘dwelling’. It is believed that the surname was created by an ancestor who lived near a house belonging to someone with the first name Behn, distinguishing them from other Behns. The family may also have been related to the Behn family, who originated from the northern German region of Mecklenburg in the 14th century.
The surname Behnicke is also associated with the Behnicke-Stollberg family, a noble Prussian family that rose to prominence during the rise of the Prussian Empire in the early 19th century. The family was closely associated with the Prussian landowning class, and its members served in the Prussian military and government in various capacities.
Famous people with the name Behnicke
- Emil Behnicke: German painter and illustrator
- Ernst Behnicke: composer, musician, and participant in the musical world of the 19th century in Berlin
- Karl Behnicke: German politician, member of the Nazi Party (NSDAP)
- Alfred Behnicke: former Mayor of Schmölln
- Karl-Otto Behnicke: East German wrestler
- Martin Behnicke: German chemist
- Kai-Uwe Behnicke: German actor
- Axel Behnicke: German physicist
- Torsten Behnicke: German mathematician
- Günter Behnicke: German sports psychologist
- Helmut Behnicke: German soccer player
- Harald Behnicke: German player and member of the national team in the 1950s
- Christoph Behnicke: member of the Astrophysics Institute at Potsdam University
- Hans Behnicke: German organizer and director of the East German women’s volleyball team
- Wolfgang Behnicke: German author and publicist