Show ContentsBrueck History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The historic German state of Prussia is the ancestral home of the Brueck family. Hereditary surnames began to be used in Germany during the 12th century. The Brueck surname is derived from job done by its initial bearer. Brueck is an occupational name for a near a bridge. The family name Brueck was originally derived from the German word brücke, which in turn was originally derived from the Old German brugga, which means bridge. However, in the Low German regions, the name Brueck stems from the Low German word brauk which means swamp. Alternatively, in the eastern parts of Germany, the surname Brueck originated as a nickname type of surname derived from the Wendish (Slavic) word bruk, which means beetle or bug.

Early Origins of the Brueck family

The surname Brueck was first found in Bavaria, where the name Bruck became noted for its many branches with the region where each house acquired a status and influence which was envied by the princes of the region.

One of the first records of the family was Ocko I tom Brok (de Broke) (c. 1345-1389), Chieftain of the Brokmerland and the Auricherland in East Frisia, a former territory on Germany's North Sea coast (1376-1389.) His son, Ocko II tom Brok (1407-1435) was also Chieftain of the Brokmerland and the Auricherland in East Frisia.

Early History of the Brueck family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brueck research. Another 90 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1500, 1515 and 1554 are included under the topic Early Brueck History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Brueck Spelling Variations

Many cultural groups lived in the German states in medieval times. Each had its own dialect and traditions, and unique variations of popular names. Low German, which is similar to contemporary Dutch, was spoken in Westphalia. German names are characterized by additions such as regional suffixes and phrases that tell something about the origin or background of its original bearer. Further contributing to the variation in German names was the fact that there were no spelling rules in medieval times: scribes recorded names according to their sound. The recorded spelling variations of Brueck include Bruch, Brucke, Brukke, Breuck, Breucke, Breuch, Breukk, Brueck, Bruech, Bruecke and many more.

Early Notables of the Brueck family

More information is included under the topic Early Brueck Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Brueck migration to the United States +

Much of German history has been shaped by the state of Prussia. It was an enduring military power until after the Second World War. At that time, the state was abolished altogether and its land divided between the Soviet Union, Poland, East Germany and West Germany. While some Prussians were content to remain in those countries, others moved away, many of them migrating to North America. They entered the United States mostly through Philadelphia, moving on to Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, New York, and Maryland. Others went to Canada, settling on the prairies and in the province of Ontario. Among those of this surname listed in various historical records were:

Brueck Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Charlotte Brueck, who landed in America in 1853 1
  • Nikolaus Brueck, who arrived in North America in 1856 1
  • Peter Brueck, who landed in North America in 1856 1
  • Christoph Brueck, who arrived in America in 1867 1
  • John A Brueck, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1870 1
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Brueck (post 1700) +

  • Andrew Brueck (d. 2018), American editor, known for his work on Destroyer, The Happytime Murders and One Night in Miami... (2020)
  • Betty Brueck (b. 1897), American actress, known for Jesse James' Women (1954)
  • Kevin Brueck, American actor, known for The High Fructose Adventures of Annoying Orange (2012), Werewolf in a Girls Sorority (2013) and Charades (2009)
  • Steven R. J. Brueck, American engineer, Distinguished Professor at University of New Mexico, Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and Optical Society
  • Karl A. Brueck, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Kansas, 1956, 1960 2


  1. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  2. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, December 1) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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