Surname Breunig - Meaning and Origin
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Connecting with My Roots: My Experience Exploring Breunig Heritage with iGENEA DNA Test
An exploration of my heritage through the iGENEA DNA test, revealing the beautiful tapestry of the Breunig history, the origins and spread of the Breunig name, and connections with the international Breunig community.
S. Breunig
read moreBreunig: What does the surname Breunig mean?
The last name Breunig is a German surname. The spelling of the name varies slightly in different countries, but it is always pronounced as ‘broy-nik’. The literal translation of Breunig is ‘bright’ or ‘shining’, and is derived from the Middle High German ‘briun’ or ‘brin’ which means “to shine”.
The earliest record of this name dates back to 1331 when Werner von Breunig was a witness at a document in Weilheim, near Stuttgart. It is difficult to trace the larger family tree due to frequent variations of the spelling of the name.
The Coat of Arms for the Breunig family is a golden shield with a blue chevron, which is often adorned with a two-headed eagle. The crest includes a blue chevron, a crowned helmet, and a two-headed eagle with its wings outstretched. This design is thought to represent the family’s bravery and courage.
The Breunig name is common throughout German-speaking countries, but it is also found in the Netherlands, the United States and Canada. There is evidence that members of the Breunig family emigrated to the United States by 1867 when Ellen von Brenninger was recorded in Boone County, Illinois.
Today, the Breunig name remains a proud and distinguished part of the German culture and heritage. It symbolizes strength, courage and a sense of family pride that is celebrated by those who proudly bear this surname.
Order DNA origin analysisBreunig: Where does the name Breunig come from?
The last name Breunig is common mainly in Germany and Austria. In Germany, it can be found in every federal state but is especially prevalent in Westfalia and Bavaria, where it is among the 50 most common surnames. In Austria, Breunig is among the 20 most common surnames and is mainly found in the provinces of Styria and Carinthia.
In the United States, the Breunig surname is primarily found in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Breunig is also gaining popularity in Australia, where it is said to have been taken by early settlers from Europe. The surname generally ranks in the top 5,000 most common surnames in Australia.
It is not known exactly how far back the Breunig surname goes, but it appears to have begun in Bavaria and spread throughout Europe during the Middle and Modern Ages. The name is derived from the Old High German term “bruoh” or “bruoc,” both of which refer to a person who fist fights or who takes up arms. It is suggested that the Breunig name was given to those individuals who took up arms to protect their family and lands, and quickly became a recognizable surname in the region.
Variations of the surname Breunig
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Breunig are Brunig, Braunig, Braunich, Breuning, Brenig, Breuninger, Brunieg, Brunich, and Brünig.
The origins of the surname can be traced back to Germanic roots and is derived from the Old German “brun”, which is a word for "armor," served as a nickname for one who was thought to resemble a knight in shining armor. The addition of the suffix “ig” or “ich” was then added to create a patronymic meaning “descendant of the person who had the nickname Brün.”
Over time, the combination of sounds and spellings of the name changed as it spread to various parts of Europe. In some cases, such as in the spelling of Breunig, the letter “e” was substituted for the letter “a,” as in Braunich. Also, the original spelling of “ig” or “ich” was sometimes modified to “ing” or “ingir” as in Breuninger and Brenig, respectively.
The Breunig surname is most commonly found in areas of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is also found in the United States where it was adopted by immigrants in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Famous people with the name Breunig
- Vivian Breunig: German professional volleyball player.
- Michael Breunig: Former American professional basketball player.
- Eva Breunig: German television presenter and actress.
- Karen Breunig-Kotowski: Former member of the German Grand Cross of Merit.
- Klaus Breunig: Member of the German Iron Cross.
- John Breunig: Professional American football player.
- Elke Breunig-Adams: German musician and composer.
- Mark Breunig: American former tennis player.
- Rebecca Breunig: Australian film and television actress.
- Günther Breunig: German former footballer.