Show ContentsBussinger History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Bussinger

What does the name Bussinger mean?

The ancient Anglo-Saxon surname Bussinger came from the German name Beringar which meant "bear-spear." The name was "one of the paladins in the Charlemagne romances and fairly common in England in the 12th and 13th centuries." 1

Early Origins of the Bussinger family

The surname Bussinger was first found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where the Latin form Berengerus was recorded in Norfolk. 2 Later in Lincolnshire, Robertus filius Berengarii was listed c. 1150 and in Bedfordshire, the singular name Bengerus was found in the Curia Regis Rolls of 1203. The first record in Dorset was that of Belinar in 1207. Early Yorkshire records show Berenger faber in the Assize Rolls for 1219. Walter Beneger was found in Gloucestershire in 1208 and Reginald Beringer was listed at Lewes, Cambridgeshire c. 1260. John Belinger was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Worcestershire in 1275. 1

Early History of the Bussinger family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bussinger research. Another 257 words (18 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1150, 1271, 1273, 1275, 1500, 1694, 1780 and 1831 are included under the topic Early Bussinger History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bussinger Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Bussinger include Berringer, Berenger, Baringer, Beringar, Berengerus, Berengarus, Berengarii, Beringer, Belinger, Bellinger, Bellenger, Beranger and many more.

Early Notables of the Bussinger family

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


Bussinger migration to the United States +

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Bussinger or a variant listed above:

Bussinger Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Jacob Bussinger, who landed in America in 1792 3


  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. 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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