Surname Bohn - Meaning and Origin

An Ancestral Odyssey with the iGENEA DNA Test: Unraveling the German Roots of the Bohn Surname

Embarking on a journey into the roots of my ancestry with the iGENEA DNA test, I discovered more than traces of my genetic ethnicity. The test shed light on the German lineage of my surname, Bohn, and through the database, I connected with a global community of Bohns.

P. Bohn

Bohn: What does the surname Bohn mean?

Bohn is a surname of German origin. The name originally derives from the Middle High German word "bohne", which means "bean". This suggests that the first bearers of the surname Bohn were likely involved in farming or trading of beans. The surname might have been used as a nickname for someone who grew, sold, or consumed beans significantly. As with many surnames of occupational or characteristic origin, once it became a hereditary surname, it would have been passed down through the generations, regardless of the profession or characteristics of the descendants. Today, individuals with the last name Bohn may be found in many parts of the world, although it remains most common in Germany. Despite its fairly humble meaning, the surname has been borne by many notable individuals in various fields.

Bohn: Where does the name Bohn come from?

The surname Bohn originates from Germany where it was derived from the Middle High German word "bohne", which means "bean". The name was used as a nickname for a small and insignificant person or for a grower or seller of beans. The name spread throughout Europe and the world through immigration and is now common in many countries including the United States, Brazil, and Canada. However, it remains most prevalent in Germany. It can be found in many variations such as Bohne, Boehne, Bohns, and Boen among others. One of the main reasons for the numerous variations is a result of the lack of consistency in spelling rules in the medieval era. Despite its German origin, Bohn as a surname is also found in Denmark and comes from the Old Danish word "bōn", meaning "prayer", or "request".

Variations of the surname Bohn

The surname Bohn can have many variants due to its origin and the different ways it may have evolved over the years. Bohn is of German origin and it means 'farmer' or 'bean grower.'

In Germany, you may encounter the surname as Bohne or Bone. In English-speaking countries, it may be adjusted to Bohm, Bone or Boone. Further variations include the names Boon, Bonn, Boonin, Boehm, Bohon, and Bohun. You may also find the Bohan surname in Ireland, though its etymology is different, deriving from Gaelic Ó Buadhacháin meaning ‘descendant of the victorious one’

In addition, some Jewish descendants may have the surname Bohn, resulted from the Yiddish word "Bohn" which also means 'bean.' Jewish names may also include Bohm or Boehm.

On account of the effect of dialects in different regions, you could also encounter the use of a 'P' instead of a 'B' in some spellings, creating variants like Pohn, Pohne, or Pohm.

Moreover, some extended surnames include suffixes such as -son or -sohn (meaning 'son of'), leading to names like Bohnson or Bohnsohn.

Please note that these variations can also reflect the immigration paths of different families, as names were often changed to adapt to new languages and cultures.

Famous people with the name Bohn

• Jacob Bohn: American author and publisher known for his children's literature.
• Robert Bohn: German literary scientist, author, and professor known for his works in Scandinavian studies.
• Gordon Bohn: American basketball coach who has led his high school teams to numerous championships.
• Casey Bohn: A notable figure in the tech industry, particularly known for his focus on cyber-security.
• Markus Bohn: Music producer and composer from Germany.
• Sonja Bohn: Famous German actress, recognized for her roles in TV series, short films, and theater.
• Charlie Bohn: Recognized in the world of sports for his talent in golf.
• Luke Bohn: An American actor known for his roles in films and TV series.
• John Patrick Bohn: Australian politician, a member of the Australian Labor Party.
• Bob Bohn: A significant figure associated with American football.
• Paul Bohn: Noted in the scientific community as a Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering professor.
• Jim Bohn: Known in the field of business consulting, also an author and speaker.

Other surnames

BohanBohananBohaneBohannBohannonBohdanBohdanowiczBöheimBohelleyBohemiaBohigBohillBohlBohleBohlenBohlenschmidtBohlerBöhlerBohljeBöhljeBohlkenBöhlkenBohlscheidBohlscheidtBöhmBohmBöhmckeBohmeBöhmeBöhmecke