Surname Bier - Meaning and Origin
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From Simple Surname to Ancestral Saga: Decoding the Bier Lineage Through iGENEA's DNA Analysis
Using iGENEA's DNA testing services, I embarked on an illuminating journey, unearthing the roots of my lineage and the origins of my surname, Bier. The experience didn't just link me to my ancestors scientifically but unveiled an intriguing ancient history behind my family name reaching back to the last Ice Age.
W. Bier
read moreBier: What does the surname Bier mean?
The last name Bier is of German origin, derived from the German word 'bier', meaning 'beer'. It typically identified those who either brewed or sold beer. In some cases, the name might also have been an occupational designation for someone who worked in or around a brewery.
The earliest records of the surname date from the 15th century, with mentions in court cases in the dukedom of Franconia. It is known that the Bier family began acquiring estates in and around the cities of Hanau and Fulda from 1568. Later, the family spread to many parts of Europe, including the Netherlands, France, and Denmark.
The Bier family today can be found across Europe, with a high concentration in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. The name has been Anglicized in some cases, appearing as Beer, Bieren, and Beeren.
In the United States, the Bier surname arrived with German and Swiss immigrants in the 19th and 20th centuries. There are about 12,000 people in the United States today bearing the Bier last name, with the highest concentration in Illinois.
Overall, the Bier last name is associated with the brewing or selling of beer in Germany and other parts of Europe. It was brought to the United States by German and Swiss immigrants in the 19th and 20th centuries, and today there are around 12,000 people within the United States bearing the surname Bier.
Order DNA origin analysisBier: Where does the name Bier come from?
The last name Bier is a Germanic name, originating from the Middle Low German word ‘bier’, which translates to ‘beer’. The name is most commonly found in parts of Germany, though it is spread throughout many parts of Europe. This surname is also common in Belgium, and the Netherlands. It is also found in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United States, where it has spread in more recent years.
Throughout Europe, the surname is found most predominantly in Germany, with the states of Bavaria, Rhineland Palatinate, and North Rhine-Westphalia having the highest concentrations of the surname. As of 2021, in the United States, the states with the most people with the surname Bier are California, New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
Though most people with this name are of Germanic origin, it is also used in some Islamic cultures as well. In some Arabic-speaking parts such as Iraq and Iran, the surname is often a Mulsim variant of the German name which is thought to be derived from the Arabic words ‘bida’(beer) and ‘beer’ (well).
The surname Bier is also found in some parts of the former Soviet Union, primarily in various parts of Russia, Crimea, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine.
Overall, the last name Bier is quite common in many regions throughout the world. It is mostly associated with Germany, but can be found in many other parts of Europe and the United States, as well as some parts of the Middle East and former Soviet Union.
Variations of the surname Bier
The surname Bier is a German and Dutch surname. It is a cognate of Beer and means 'mug', 'swivel', 'pirouette' or 'dance'. It is a common patronymic surname derived from the name Biermann.
Variants of Bier include Beir, Beyer, Bayer, Bär, Baehr, Beier, Bähr, Bere,Beyerlein, Bayerlein, and Beilein.
In Dutch, it is generally spelt Bier, but can also be spelt as Beyer or Bijer.
Surnames related to Bier are Beierle, Beirlein, Bürle, Bürlein, Byerly, Bayerle, and Beerly.
In East Prussia, it was spelt Beyer, but in the Middle Ages, it was spelt Beur.
In the United States and Canada, Bier is generally spelled beer or Byer due to Anglicization.
The spelling of Bier may have changed over time and by nation, but it still retains its original meaning. The variant spellings give clues as to when and where a person with the surname Bier might have come from. Those of German origin may still spell it Bier or Beyer, while those of a Dutch descent may spell it Bijer or Beyer.
Famous people with the name Bier
- Billy Bier: A renowned abstract cosmic painter who supports “outsider” art.
- Christopher Bier: An American actor best known for his leading roles in TV shows such as Hill Street Blues and The X-Files.
- Johannes Bier: A German dramatic actor of the 19th century who was known for his portrayal of Hamlet.
- Robert Bier: A German composer who wrote numerous songs and orchestral works in the late 19th century.
- Wolf Bier: A conductor who conducted several operas, symphonies, and choral works throughout Europe during the early 20th century.
- Rosemary Bier: An American author and scholar known for her work on the history of education in the United States.
- Meinrad Bier: A Swiss architect and engineer who designed a number of notable churches and other structures in the Swiss Alps in the 18th century.
- Alexander Bier: A German composer and conductor of the classical era who is especially known for his works for the flute.
- Carl Bier: An Austrian opera composer and choral director in the late 19th century.
- Christian Bier: An American photographer and filmmaker best known for his images of Native American life and cultures.