Surname Bürklein - Meaning and Origin
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Bürklein: What does the surname Bürklein mean?
The last name Bürklein is a German word meaning "little citizen". It is derived from the Middle High German Burg which referred to a fort or castle and Kleine or diminutive form of Klein, meaning small. The surname Bürklein is most commonly found in areas around Germany, such as Austria, Switzerland, and even Denmark. It is also sometimes used as a variant spelling of certain other German surnames like Burcklein, Burckle, and Burcklen.
In the Middle Ages, the last name would have been a title given to a small trader, farmer, or lower middle-class man living in a fortified dwelling. It was also occasionally granted to the children of high-ranked officials. It is estimated that over the centuries, thousands of men and women with this name have emigrated from Germany and other parts of Europe to settle throughout the world.
Today, the last name Bürklein is symbolic of a strong and proud heritage. Those with this surname may find strength in the shared identity and values of their German ancestors. The meaning of the surname also serves as a reminder of the importance of taking part in the actions that make society a better place, as this was the original aim of its personal use.
Order DNA origin analysisBürklein: Where does the name Bürklein come from?
The last name Bürklein is still found today throughout Germany, although it is now also found in other countries. In Germany, it is most common in the southern states, particularly those in the Bavarian region such as Bavaria (where it is the 43rd most common surname), Baden-Württemberg, and Hesse. The last name Bürklein is also common in Austria, where it is the 42nd most popular surname, and it is heavily concentrated in the state of Upper Austria.
Outside of Germany and Austria, Bürklein is found in smaller numbers in the United States, Canada, and throughout Europe. North America was likely one of the earliest destinations for those bearing the Bürklein surname, which is often a result of German immigration to North America. Further, the name has established itself in Argentina and Brazil after large numbers of German immigrants settled in those countries.
The spelling of the name Bürklein can also be Germanized with the letter ü being replaced with the letter ue; other variations of the name include Burklein, Bürkel, Bürkelmann, Bürkle, and Bürkler. As a result of its association with the German language, Bürklein is now found on every continent in the world.
Variations of the surname Bürklein
The surnames Bürklein, Burgkle, and Burckley can all be traced back to a single German surname. The name originates from similar Germanic root words that mean “fortified and small dwelling,” which suggests that the original location of the surname’s origin may have been a fortified village or homestead.
The correct spelling for the original surname is Bürklein, and this spelling is still used in many parts of Germany today. The last part of the surname, “lein”, is an old form of a German suffix denoting smaller size as opposed to larger size.
The variant of Bürklein, Burgkle, is a dialectic and phonetic spelling of the same name. It is believed that the variant of Burgkle was used more frequently in the northern regions of Germany.
The last variant of Burckley is actually a corruption of the original Bürklein given to some people who migrated to the United States in the mid-19th century. The variant Burckley was likely easier for American authorities to record and spell than the German original.
Although the three surnames have varied spellings, they are all rooted in the same Germanic name. Although the origins of the surname cannot be definitively established, its variants continue to be used in many parts of the world by the descendants of those original immigrants.
Famous people with the name Bürklein
- Max Bürklein, German writer and journalist
- John Bürklein, German historian
- Karl Bürklein, Swiss-German artist and sculptor
- Florian Bürklein, Bavarian conductor
- Malea Bürklein, German actress and musician
- Lilli Bürklein, German artist
- Luca Bürklein, German actress
- Benjamin Bürklein, Swiss-German ice hockey player
- Alphonso Bürklein, German physicist
- Wilma Bürklein, German pianist