Surname Bönnighaus - Meaning and Origin

Bönnighaus: What does the surname Bönnighaus mean?

The surname Bönnighaus is of German origin. It is thought to come from a place name derived from the German words "bönne" and "hausen," meaning “barn/shelter house.” This is likely due to the fact that the original family which had this surname owned or lived at a structure that featured a barn or similar shelter. Additionally, there is also a possibility that this particular surname was a nickname for someone who lived at the barn or in a shelter-like home.

The person who had this surname would likely have been living in Europe in the Middle Ages or shortly thereafter. During this time, family names were usually associated with the geographical area where they lived. Therefore, it is highly plausible that the family which first carried this surname was linked in some way to a building or structure containing a barn.

Today, the surname Bönnighaus is still present in Germany and various other countries around the world, testament to their migration from Central Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries. As is the case with many surnames, it's exact origin may never be known. Regardless though, it is sure to remain an important part of the story and heritage of those current generations who are lucky enough to carry this name.

Bönnighaus: Where does the name Bönnighaus come from?

The last name Bönnighaus is a German surname, and today it is most commonly found in Germany and the German-speaking countries of Central Europe, such as Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. It has also spread to other countries with significant German communities like the United States, Canada, Australia, and several countries in Latin America. As of 2015, the estimated number of people bearing the name Bönnighaus was around 8,800.

The historical etymology of the name is believed to come from the old German words “bonn” and “haus”, which roughly translate to “village house”. This is because the name likely originates from certain small villages in Germany where the Bönnighaus family first settled and established themselves. Alternatively, it is possible that the name comes from a completely different old German word, “boning”, which is the old German word for “chastity” and may have arisen from a family whose ancestors were known for their strong moral code.

More recent generations of the Bönnighaus family have spread out throughout the world, including to English-speaking countries, and may have adopted alternate spellings of the name, such as “Bonninghausen”, “Bonninghaus”, or “Bunnighausen”. However, the original spelling and pronunciation (“būn-nigh-haws”) remains most common in German-speaking countries as most people bearing the name can trace their ancestry back to Germany, Austria, or Switzerland.

Variations of the surname Bönnighaus

The surname Bönnighaus is an occupational ethnic German name which originated in the Westphalia region of Germany in the Middle Ages. Its variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include:

Bönnig, Bonig, Burinnig, Böning, Böhnke, Böninghaus, Bönnighauser, Böhning, Böninghäuser, Bönnighausen, Binnighausen, Bönnighausmann, Bomig.

The surname may have been derived from the German word ‘Böhnig’, which translates to ‘a good luck person’. It may also have been derived from the expression ‘Böhnig hauen’ which translates to ‘to bring luck’. Over time, these forms of the name have been changed and adapted to form different spellings and surnames.

The modern-day spelling of this surname is Bönnighaus. It is most common in the regions of Westphalia, Germany, and in other German-speaking areas such as Austria and Switzerland. It was also adopted by immigrants who emigrated to the United States and Canada from the 19th to the early 20th century.

The Bönnighaus surname may be found in church and civil records, census records, estate inventories, tax records, shipping manifests and immigration records from the Medieval period to present day. These records provide details on individuals with this surname at different points in time, including the surnames that were carried on within families by generations.

Famous people with the name Bönnighaus

• Andre Bönnighausen: a German swimming and cycling athlete who represented Germany in multiple Olympic Games during the early 20th century.
• Ingemar Bönnighausen: a 28th century German weightlifting champion.
• Julia Bönnighausen: a German historian and author.
• Michael Bönnighausen: a retired German football player.
• Ulrich Bönnighausen: a German classical bassoonist and professor at the Augsburg University.
• Johanna Bönnighausen- a German writer and author of children's books.
• Louis Ferdinand Bönnighausen: a German Baroque composer and organist.
• Ludwig Bönnighausen: a German violinist and composer of chamber music.
• Johanna Bönnighausen- a German playwright and theatre director.
• Ingo Bönnighausen- a German sculptor and metal artist.

Other surnames

Bönnighausen