Surname Bürklen - Meaning and Origin
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Bürklen: What does the surname Bürklen mean?
The last name Bürklen (or Burklen, Bürklin) is of German origin. The name translates literally to mean "from the birch forest” or “from the burk.” The name likely originated in several German regions, such as Bavaria and Hesse, where it dates as far back as the 15th century. The regional influences suggest that the Bürklen surname is derived from the Old German elements birka (birch tree) or burg (castle/fortress), combined with the addition of the suffix -lin or -en, meaning “of.”
Given the origin of the surname, Bürklen is typically associated with one of two possible places: specifically, the modern day cities of Bürgel in Westphalia and Burkheim in Baden-Württemburg or more generally with the birch-land habitats located in many German regions.
The name could have also sometimes been associated with the Bürkle family, which is present in the region of town of Oppenweiler, located in the Rems-Murr-Kreis of Baden-Württemburg. It is believed that the family had property and land around this area, and hence this could be related to the origin of the surname.
It is also thought that some members of the Burklen family could have had aristocratic or noble backgrounds, as the name was recorded in various documents throughout the centuries. This association was mostly due to the fact that the Bürklen surname was found in the titled families register, which listed those bearing manorial and/or aristocratic titles.
Given its roots, the Bürklen name has been in use throughout Europe over the centuries, and is now also found in countries such as the United States, Australia, and more.
Order DNA origin analysisBürklen: Where does the name Bürklen come from?
The surname Bürklen is of German origin and can be found in several European countries and in other parts of the world. The highest concentration of people with the surname Bürklen is in Germany, Switzerland and France, as well as the United States. In Germany, the surname is sometimes spelled Bürcklen or Bürkelen and is most common in southwestern Germany, including the Black Forest region of Baden-Württemberg.
In the United States, records show that the surname first appeared in the 1880s and is most commonly found in states such as Wisconsin, Illinois, California and New York. The German spelling of Bürklen can also be found in other countries in Europe including the United Kingdom, Austria, Belgium and Spain.
Other countries and regions where the surname Bürklen is found include Canada, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand. People with the surname Bürklen are spread throughout Europe, North America and South America. Records indicate that people with this last name have also settled in Asia, particularly India and China, as well as South Africa.
Variations of the surname Bürklen
The name Bürklen is of German origin. The surname can be spelled in a variety of ways, including Bürklein, Bürklin, Bürkline, Bürkling, and Bürkly. Variations of the name are also found in other European countries, such as in France, where it is spelled Bürclein or Bürcklein, and in Lithuania, where it is spelled Būrklenas. In Scandinavia, the alternate spelling Burklen is found. Another variation of the name in German is Pürkeln.
Variants of the name have existed since at least the 16th century. One early reference is found in the annals of the city of Wetzlar, Germany. In 1599, a man by the surname of Bürklein is listed as a resident of the city.
In the United States, variants of the name have been much more common. The first recorded settlers of this name in America were John Jacob Bürkly, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1737, and Adam Bürklyn, who emigrated from Germany to Maryland in 1765. In the mid-19th century, Bürklen was the fifth most popular surname in New York City.
Surnames of similar origin to Bürklen include Bürki, Burger, Burkel, Bürkler, Bürglen, and Purkel. The names could have originated from short forms of names such as Burkhard or Bürger, or from place names such as Bürglen or Bürklingen.
Famous people with the name Bürklen
- Caroline Bürklen: German cross-country skier
- Johannes Bürklen: German classical scholar
- Wolfgang Bürklen: Austrian pro-German politician
- Olivier Bürklen: Swiss professional football player
- Lorenz Bürklen: Swiss politician
- William Bürklen: American actor, director, and producer
- Johann Bürklen: German lutenist and composer
- Albert Bürklen: Swiss Olympic fencer
- Matt Bürklen: Swiss musician and composer
- Andrea Bürklen: German biathlete and former World Champion