The Buhr surname is most likely derived from the word "Buhr," a Low German variant of "Bauer," which is derived from the Old High German word "giburo," meaning "fellow dweller." The terms "bauer" and "buhr" came to be used as farmer; thus, the Buhr surname is may have originated as an occupational name. There is a town named Buer located in Westphalia and no doubt the origin of some instances of this name are derived from someone who resided or came from that settlement. The place-name Buer is in turn derived from the Old High German word "bur," which can be translated to "house" or "dwelling."
Early Origins of the Buhr family
The surname Buhr was first found in Westphalia, in northwestern Germany. The name eventually spread to the surrounding regions of Hessen, Saxony, and Palatinate as its bearers moved from Westphalia in order to pursue careers in politics, religion, art, and the military. During the Middle Ages, the family grew in prominence as it forged alliances and arranged strategic marriages with other important families, and several notable bearers of the name Buhr emerged during this period.
Early History of the Buhr family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Buhr research. More information is included under the topic Early Buhr History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Buhr Spelling Variations
Spelling variations of this family name include: Booher, Buer, Buhr and others.
Early Notables of the Buhr family
Notables of the period with the name Buhr were
- the Buhr family of Westphalia
Buhr Ranking
In the United States, the name Buhr is the 12,090th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1
Buhr migration to the United States +
Some of the first settlers of this family name were:
Buhr Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
- Nickel Buhr, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1768 2
Buhr Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
- I P Buhr, aged 22, who landed in New York, NY in 1850 2
- William F H Buhr, who landed in St Clair County, Illinois in 1860 2
- John Buhr, who landed in Cincinnati, Oh in 1869-1870 2
- Joseph Buhr, who arrived in Ohio in 1869 2
- Heinrich Buhr, who arrived in Iowa in 1888 2
Buhr migration to Canada +
Some of the first settlers of this family name were:
Buhr Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
- Peter Buhr, who arrived in Manitoba in 1874
Contemporary Notables of the name Buhr (post 1700) +
- Glenn Buhr (b. 1954), Canadian composer of stage, orchestral, chamber, choral, and vocal music
Historic Events for the Buhr family +
USS Arizona
- Mr. Clarence Edward Buhr, American Seaman First Class from New Mexico, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 3
Citations +
- "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
- 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)
- Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html