Surname Brünning - Meaning and Origin

Brünning: What does the surname Brünning mean?

The last name Brünning is a German surname most likely of occupational origin, meaning "brunner". In the Middle Ages, a brunner was a professional spinner and weaver of linen, wool, and other fibers. Brünning was likely the name of a family of professional artisans who specialized in fibre-working.

The surname Brünning is strongly associated with the Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine–Westphalia regions of Germany, where it was derived. The name likely originated in the Moselle region, but can be found in records from other parts of Germany as well. For example, there was a village in Schleswig-Holstein by the name of Brünning. Through its many regional variations (Bruning, Brunnen, Bruening, Brinnig, Brönnig, etc.), the surname has spread around Europe, but may have also been carried to other parts of the world by German emigrants.

The spelling of the surname may have changed over time, with the spelling Brünning becoming more established in the 17th century. Other variations of the name have also evolved over time, such as Breuning, which means "baking of bread".

In modern days, the surname Brünning is still common in Germany and the surrounding countries, and can still be found in the United States as well, reflecting its wide-reaching history and the changes in its spelling throughout the centuries.

Brünning: Where does the name Brünning come from?

The last name Brünning is primarily found today in Germany and other regions of German-speaking Europe such as Austria, Switzerland and Luxembourg. It is of German origin, derived from a term meaning "dark-colored," likely referring to the darkness of someone's skin or hair.

Although not as popular as some other German last names, Brünning has been in existence since the 11th century and appears in records from that era across Germany. Today the surname is still relatively common in Germany, with an estimated 11,000 people currently bearing the name within the country. It is also now widely found in areas of German immigration, including the United States, Canada, Australia and South America.

Outside of German-speaking countries, Brünning is far less common. While it does appear in records across the United Kingdom, it only refers to recent immigrants or descendants of German immigrants. Similarly, there are some records that show Brünning in France, Spain and other European nations, generally referring to German-speaking populations.

The popularity of the last name Brünning appears to be waning in its homeland. While appearing in records across Germany, it is not among the top 100 names, and therefore does not appear to be as prominent as other German surnames. In the United States, however, the name appears to be experiencing a slight resurgence due to a large influx of German settlers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Overall, the last name Brünning appears to be predominantly German in origin and is commonly found in German-speaking countries.

Variations of the surname Brünning

The surname Brünning has various variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The original spelling is Brünning, which is a German surname originating from the Middle German term "brünne", meaning “dark-colored”. This surname was originally used to denote someone with a swarthy complexion.

The most common variants/variations for Brünning include Bruning, Bruening, Brunning, and Brunnig. Other less common variants include Brenning, Brinning, Bronning, and Broning.

The surname Brünning is found in several countries, with the most common being Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, South Africa, and the United States.

In Germany, the original spelling is sometimes still used, but the modern German spelling is usually Bruning. Additionally, the spellings Bruening, Brunning, and Brunnig can often be found in German records.

In the Netherlands, the spelling Bruning is the most common. However, variants such as Bruening, Brunning, and Brunnig are also found in Dutch records.

The spelling Brenning is commonly used in the United Kingdom. In South Africa, the spelling Bruning is the most common, with variants including Bruening, Brunning, and Brunnig occasionally appearing in records.

Lastly, in the United States, the spellings Bruning and Bruening are the most common. Other variants such as Brunning and Brunnig are also found in frequent in American records.

The variants of this surname are typically interchangeable, and any of them can be used to search for information about this surname in genealogical records.

Famous people with the name Brünning

• Georg Brünning: Georg Brünning was a German actor and television director. He was primarily known for his roles in the German television series Derrick and Der Alte.
• Heinrich Brünning: Heinrich Brünning was a German politician, Chancellor of the Weimar Republic from 1930-1932.
• Wolfgang Brünning: Wolfgang Brünning was a German physicist and inventor who created the Heimlich Maneuver in 1974, a maneuver to help a choking victim.
• Ursula Brünning: Ursula Brünning is a German writer and illustrator best known for her book Leon der Drachenkrieger.
• Klaus Brünning: Klaus Brünning is a German historian known for his work on the history of communism in East Germany.
• Gerhard Brünning: Gerhard Brünning is a German-born speed skater who competed in four Winter Olympics, winning silver in 1972.
• Monika Brünning: Monika Brünning is a German television actress known for her role in the television drama "Tatort".
• Julian Brünning: Julian Brünning is a German tennis player who has competed on the Davis Cup and ATP World Tour.
• Michael Brünning: Michael Brünning is a German rally driver who has competed in numerous international rallies.
• Ben Brünning: Ben Brünning is a German actor who appeared on television series such as "Der Zügler" and "Alarm für Cobra 11: Das Syndikat".

Other surnames

Brünnings