Surname Beran - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'B'
Beran: What does the surname Beran mean?
The surname Beran has origins in Germany and Eastern Europe, particularly in the Czech Republic. The name Beran is derived from the old German word "bero" which means bear. So, it essentially signifies the "strength of a bear". The name could have possibly been a nickname for a strong, powerful person that later turned into a surname. The use of animal names in surnames was quite frequent in medieval Europe and was often used to denote physical characteristics or traits. Thus, someone with the surname Beran may have had an ancestor who was notably strong or powerful. Please note that meanings can vary as surnames often have multiple origins and translation also varies in different regions and languages.
Order DNA origin analysisBeran: Where does the name Beran come from?
The surname Beran is of Czech origin, derived from the Czech word "beran," which means "ram." It was likely originally a nickname or occupational name for a shepherd. Early records of the name can be traced back to the Middle Ages in Bohemia, a historical region in the modern-day Czech Republic.
Today, the surname Beran is most commonly found in the Czech Republic. It is also somewhat common in countries with significant Czech immigrant populations, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. Nevertheless, it remains relatively rare in comparison with many other surnames, indicating a probable continuing concentration in its country of origin and among those of Czech descent. The name Beran may have variants based on regional dialects and immigration records, so similar surnames may be found across Europe, particularly in Germany and Austria.
Variations of the surname Beran
The surname Beran has variations and alternate spellings that include Berane, Berani, Beranea, Beranek, Beranka, and Beranes, among others. These spellings are primarily found in Central Europe, illustrating the surname's Czech or German origin.
In Czech, "Beran" translates to "ram," often associated with Aries in the zodiac. Therefore, the surname could be related to people born under this astrological sign, or to those engaged in sheep farming.
Beranek is a mildly common variation found in the Czech Republic, while Beranka is less common. The "ek" or "ka" endings are diminutives in Slavic languages, often used affectionately or to denote something small.
Surnames such as Beranowski, Beransky, or Beranova could also be seen, particularly among Polish and Slovak populations. In these cases, the endings "owski," "sky," or "ova" are grammatical features indicating origin or gender in Slavic languages.
Moreover, due to migration and variance in transcription, versions of the name can be found globally, sometimes more anglicized, like in the case of Barron or Behrman. Please note that while these surnames share phonetic similarities, they might not share the same origin with Beran.
Famous people with the name Beran
- Paul Beran: a Czech ice hockey player who represented Czechoslovakia at the 1972 Winter Olympics.
- Ivan Beran: a former professional road bicycle racer from the Czech Republic who competed in several grand tours.
- Chris Beran: a former Australian rules footballer who played between 1975 and 1988 in the Victorian Football League.
- Vanessa Beran: a Slovenian sprint canoer who has competed since 2005.
- Krys Beran: a former Australian rules footballer who played with South Melbourne and Footscray in the Victorian Football League.
- Dieter Beran: a former Austrian alpine skier who competed in the 1984 and 1988 Winter Olympics.
- Igor Beran: a Czechoslovak slalom canoeist who competed from the late 1970s to the mid 1980s.
- Károly Beran: a Hungarian javelin thrower who competed at the 1976 and 1980 Summer Olympics.
- Alexander Beran: a former German long-distance runner, who won the gold medal in the 10,000 metres at the 1987 Summer Universiade.
- Tomáš Beran: a Slovak cross-country skier who competed in the 2002 Winter Olympics.