Show ContentsBahr History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Bahr family

The surname Bahr was first found in Lower Saxony, where the name was anciently associated with the tribal conflicts of the area. They declared allegiances to many nobles and princes of early history, lending their influence in struggles for power and status within the region. They branched into many houses, and their contributions were sought by many leaders in their search for power. The name derives itself from the German word for bear ("der Baer").

Early History of the Bahr family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bahr research. Another 123 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1703, 1792, 1798, 1872 and 1876 are included under the topic Early Bahr History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bahr Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Behr, Bahr (northern Germany), Barr, Bar, Barre, Baer and many more.

Early Notables of the Bahr family

Another 44 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bahr Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bahr Ranking

In the United States, the name Bahr is the 5,208th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 1


United States Bahr migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Bahr Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • John Bahr, who arrived in America in 1709 2
  • Johannes Bahr, who landed in New York, NY in 1710 2
  • Mrs. Jacob Bahr, who landed in New York, NY in 1710 2
  • Hans Bahr, who arrived in America in 1731 2
  • Johan Jacob Bahr, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1749 2
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Bahr Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Jacob Bahr, aged 21, who arrived in New York, NY in 1848 2
  • M. W. G. Bahr who arrived in San Francisco in 1850
  • M W G Bahr, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1850 2
  • Gustavo Fernando Bahr, who landed in Puerto Rico in 1854 2
  • Albert Bahr, who landed in Mississippi in 1859 2
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Bahr (post 1700) +

  • Morton Bahr (1926-2019), American labor union leader, President of the Communications Workers of America from 1985 to 2005
  • Walter Alfred Bahr (1927-2018), American soccer player, long-time captain of the U.S. national team and played in the 1950 FIFA World Cup
  • Leonard Marion Bahr (1905-1990), American painter of portraits and murals
  • Howard Bahr (b. 1946), American novelist from Meridian, Mississippi, recipient of the Michael Shaara Award for Excellence in Civil War Fiction (2006)
  • Matt Bahr (b. 1956), American professional NFL football place kicker
  • Gordon John Bahr (b. 1926), American educator
  • Kurt Bahr, American Republican politician, Member of Missouri State House of Representatives 102nd District; Elected 2012
  • August W. Bahr, American politician, Candidate for Wisconsin State Assembly from Sheboygan County 1st District, 1938
  • Egon Karl-Heinz Bahr (1922-2015), German SPD politician, Federal Minister for Special Affairs of Germany (1972-1974), Minister for Economic Cooperation (1974-1976)
  • Artur Bahr (1920-1944), Polish-born, German Hauptmann in the Wehrmacht during World War II, recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
  • ... (Another 8 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. 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)


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