Show ContentsBechner History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Bechner

What does the name Bechner mean?

The Bechner surname is derived from the Middle High German words "bach," meaning a "stream," and the suffix "ler," indicating an inhabitant of. As such, it was a topographic name for someone who lived by a stream.

Early Origins of the Bechner family

The surname Bechner was first found in southern Germany, where the family was closely identified in early mediaeval times with the feudal society of early Europe. The earliest individual to be mentioned in chronicles is one Cunrat Baecheler of Konstanz in the year 1259.

Early History of the Bechner family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bechner research. Another 73 words (5 lines of text) covering the year 1589 is included under the topic Early Bechner History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bechner 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 Bechner include Bechler, Bechlere, Bechlen, Bechel, Bechller, Bechllere, Bechllen, Becler, Beclere, Beckl, Becklere, Beckler, Becklen, Beckle, Beckller, Bechl, Bechle, Becheler, Bechel, Baechler, Baechl, Baecheler, Bechlel and many more.

Early Notables of the Bechner family

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


Bechner migration to the United States+

Thousands of German settlers came to North America between the mid-17th and mid-20th centuries. The hardships of the long voyage were balanced by the opportunity to escape poverty and religious persecution. The descendents of these settlers still populate the states of Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. Many also live in Ontario and the prairie provinces of Canada. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Bechner or a variant listed above:

Bechner Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Heinrich Bechner who was recorded as having arrived in Pennsylvania in 1749
  • Heinrich Bechner, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1749 1


  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)


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