Surname Buhn - Meaning and Origin
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Buhn: What does the surname Buhn mean?
The last name Buhn is an occupational surname from the Middle Ages in Europe, denoting someone who was engaged in the trade of making horns or bugles from the material of bones. This craft was of particular importance in ancient Celtic societies, as the sound of a horn would serve both ceremonial and practical purposes, often as a call to arms or a warning signal, and the craft was passed down through generations of families. Thus, as the trade flourished, many family surnames developed various spellings of this name, such as Buhn and Boehn.
The history of the Buhn family can be traced back to at least the 1500s in Europe, when records of the surname begin to appear in several different Germanic-speaking areas, such as Bavaria and Prussia. Records indicate the family members were bearers of a hereditary hammer-trading craft, and that they became well-respected in the various trades they pursued.
Today the Buhn name can be found in many countries across the globe, suggesting the extensive influence the family and their craft held throughout Europe. Although the specific craft of horn-making is now obsolete, the Buhn family is still remembered for their dedication to their craft and for their generations of skilled artisanship.
Order DNA origin analysisBuhn: Where does the name Buhn come from?
The last name Buhn appears to be of German origin and is relatively uncommon today. Records of the surname can be found across Western Europe and North America.
In Germany, Buhn is a predominantly northern name concentrated in the lower Saxony and Hamburg regions. It is believed to have originated in those areas in the Middle Ages and is still relatively common in those locations.
In Austria, Buhn is more widely dispersed across the country. The name is particularly prominent in the states of Vienna, Styria, and Lower Austria.
In the USA, Buhn is mostly found in states with strong Germanic and/or Catholic influences. This includes Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Louisiana.
In Canada, the name is currently most common in Ontario, followed by Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Quebec.
Across the UK, most of the people with the Buhn last name are concentrated in England. It is particularly prevalent in the North West, East of England, and East Midlands regions.
Overall, the last name Buhn is still quite rare, but can be found across both Europe and North America.
Variations of the surname Buhn
The surname Buhn is a variant spelling of the surname Bohne. Both Buhn and Bohne are German surnames derived from the Middle High German word "bune" which means "bean". As a surname it was primarily an occupational name, given to a worker or grower of beans.
Other spelling variations of Buhn and Bohne include Buhne, Buen, Boehn, Bone, Bohn, and Böhn. There are also double-barreled surnames created with the surnames Bohne or Buhn in combination with another surname, such as Buhndorff, Bohneck, Böhnke, Buhn-Wille, Buhnløv, Bohnefuerst, and Buhnenkamp.
In addition to spellings, derivatives of the name include Buhner, Buhnert, and Buhnermann, as well as the Scandinavian version Buun.
Bohne, Buhn, and their variants is commonly found in Northern Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, and the United States. The surname is also used in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. It is one of the most popular surnames in Germany, ranking 143rd in 2019.
Famous people with the name Buhn
- Johannes Buhn: an actor and musician, known for performances in films such as SOKO Leipzig and Enemy at the Gates.
- Gerald Buhn: an American figure skater. He competed in the World Championships from 1954-1958 and won the gold medal at the 1957-1958 U.S. Figure Skating Championship.
- June Buhn: a philanthropist and patron of the arts. She was the daughter of Detroit industrialist Edgar I. Buhn.
- Konrad Buhn: a German footballer and manager who played for Hamburger SV and Schwaben Augsburg and coached Rot-Weiß Erfurt, SpVgg Unterhaching and SV Wacker Burghausen.
- Christina Buhn: a German television actress, known for her roles in series such as Der Bergdoktor, Der Landarzt, and Der Alte.
- Vineta Buhn: an artist from Gdansk, Poland, best known for her landscape and still life paintings.
- Friedrich Georg Wilhelm Buhn: a German-American historian and theologian, known for works such as Christianity and the Challenges of Ancient Civilization.
- Gerhard Buhn: a German chemist and inventor, best known for his work on catalytic converters and polymerization.
- Edith Buhn: a German soprano, known for roles in operas such as La Wally, Tannhäuser and Lohengrin.
- Theodor Ludwig Buhn: a German composer and organist, known for works such as Motets and German chorales.