Show ContentsBrunger History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The distinguished German surname Brunger is a variant of the surname Brüning, which indicates "son of Brüning," a variant of Bruno. The personal name Bruno is a pet form of names such as Brunolf, Brunwardt and Brunheri, all derived from the Old High German word "brunja," meaning "brown." The name may also have been derived from the Middle High German "brunne," meaning "breastplate." In Low German the surname often adopted a k-suffix, creating Bruneke which led to Bruhnke and Brünicke. Around 1600, the names Brunke and Brunken began to appear more often in Friesland.

Early Origins of the Brunger family

The surname Brunger was first found in East Friesland, where the Low German suffix -k was attached to the Westphalian surname Brüning. By about 1600, the name could be found with increasing frequency in the northern areas of Lower Saxony, Pomerania, and Schleswig-Holstein. The earliest known bearer of the surname was Cord Brunke, who was documented in 1594. The young Brunger family eventually branched into many houses, becoming one of the prominent families of the region.

Early History of the Brunger family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brunger research. Another 85 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1594, 1730, 1803, 1811 and 1891 are included under the topic Early Brunger History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Brunger Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Brunke, Brunger, Bruhnke, Brunken, Brünicke, Brüntjen, Brünjes, Bruneke, Bruenicke and many more.

Early Notables of the Brunger family

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


New Zealand Brunger migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Brunger Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • J Brunger, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Lady Nugent
  • J. Brunger, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Lady Nugent" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 17th March 1841 1


  1. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html


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