Surname Bierbrauer - Meaning and Origin
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Bierbrauer: What does the surname Bierbrauer mean?
The last name Bierbrauer is of Germanic origin, and has a literal translation of "Beer Brewer" in English. This surname was likely given to someone many years ago who either brewed or sold beer for a living. It may also refer to a beer tavern keeper, selling beer produced by another person.
The use of the surname Bierbrauer began as a way for Germanic society to identify various occupations or trades among its people. As such, there may be no family connection among those today who share this last name, unless they have some ancestral ties.
In modern times, one may find people with the last name Bierbrauer in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, United States, and Canada. It is the 5th most common surname in Germany, and the 146th most common in the United States.
The Bierbrauers today are largely a mix of different ethnic backgrounds, ranging from German, Austrian, Swiss, and American, among others. That said, they may be found living all over the world, so chances are there's a Bierbrauer in your area.
Order DNA origin analysisBierbrauer: Where does the name Bierbrauer come from?
The last name Bierbrauer is mostly found in Germany today. This is due to the surname originating from the medieval German language word for brewer, “Bierbrauer.” Brewing beer was a common occupation in the Middle Ages as it was much safer to drink than untreated water and so could be easily found in many villages. As such, the surname likely found use in Germany as a discernible last name in towns where a successful brewer was able to achieve fame.
Bierbrauer remains the 6th most common German surname today according to the German Federal Register. The highest concentrations of this last name reside predominately in the secretary states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. In Bavaria, one might find the highest concentration in the city of Lohr am Main in Unterfranken District or the small village of Dietenhan in Schwaben District.
Although it is becoming increasingly difficult to trace exactly where one might find a Bierbrauer today due to the relative difficulty of keeping track of surname changes that may have occurred over time, it is likely that most, if not all, people with this surname still trace their lineage back to the profession of brewing beer in Germany’s Middle Ages.
Variations of the surname Bierbrauer
The surname Bierbrauer is derived from the German word bierbrauer - beer brewer. It literally translates into Beer Brewer and can also be spelled as Beerbrauer, Bierbaur, Bierbauerr, Byerbrauer, Bierbauer, and Beirbrewer. Variants of this surname include Beerbrauerer, Bierbrauerer, Beirbrewerere, Bierbaum, Bierbauerman, and Beirbromer.
The variants of this surname offer insight into variations of the original name – most of these variations also originate from Germany, and some from other parts of Europe. Beerbrauerer and Bierbrauerer refer to a professional beer brewer, while Beirbrewerere and Beirbromer are likely derived from a dialect pronunciation. Bierbaum is a rhyming form derived from the root words “bier” (beer) and “baum” (tree). Bierbauerman is derived from “bierbaum”, meaning a beer tree in Low German.
The surname Bierbrauer is also used by many families who have emigrated to other countries. In the United States, the spelling has been modified to Bierbower, Bierbauer, Beerbower, Beerbauer, Bierbowerr, Bierbowery, and Bierbaurer. In Canada the name is most commonly found as Bierbower and Bierbauer, while in Australia it is typically spelled Bierbrauer and Beerbrauer.
Regardless of spelling, the surname Bierbrauer remains one of the most common surnames associated with beer brewing throughout Europe and the diaspora.
Famous people with the name Bierbrauer
- Bob Bierbrauer: American meteorologist and television news anchor
- Taylor Bierbrauer: American actress, singer, and writer
- Roman Bierbrauer: German composer and conductor
- Alexandra Bierbrauer: German singer and actress
- Kai Bierbrauer: German professional footballer
- Wolf Bierbrauer: German television actor and director
- Maximilian Bierbrauer: German violinist
- Jens Bierbrauer: German world record-holding water skier
- Jacob Bierbrauer: German sculptor
- Wolfgang Bierbrauer: German cellist and composer