Behn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

Early Origins of the Behn family

The surname Behn was first found in Germany, where the name Behem became noted for its many branches with the region, each house acquiring a status and influence which was envied by the princes of the region. Over time, the family became a power unto themselves and were elevated to the ranks of nobility.

Early History of the Behn family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Behn research. Another 64 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1436 and 1507 are included under the topic Early Behn History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Behn Spelling Variations

In the medieval era, many different cultural groups lived in the German states. There are thus many regional variations of German surnames from that era. Westphalians spoke Low German, which is similar to modern Dutch. Many German names carry suffixes that identify where they came from. Others have phrases attached that identify something about the original bearer. Other variations in German names resulted from the fact that medieval scribes worked without the aid of any spelling rules. The spelling variations of the name Behn include Behem, Behemm, Beheme, Behemme, Behemms, Behemes, Behen, Beham, Behamm, Behame, Behamme, Behamms, Behams, Behaim, Bahem, Baehem, Bahemm, Baehemm, Baheme, Baeheme, Bahemme, Baehemme, Bahemms, Baehemms, Bahemes, Baehemes, Bahen, Baehen, Baham, Baeham, Bahamm, Baehamm, Bahame, Baehame, Bahamme, Baehamme, Bahamms, Baehamms, Bahames and many more.

Early Notables of the Behn family

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

Behn Ranking

In the United States, the name Behn is the 18,343^rd most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1

Behn migration to the United States +

An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Behn arrived in North America very early:

Behn Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Conrad Behn, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1732 2
Johannes Behn, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1732 2

Behn Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

J Behn, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1851 2
N H Behn, aged 21, who arrived in New York, NY in 1860 2

Behn migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Behn Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. John Behn U.E. who settled in Fredericksburgh, Cataraqui township, [Greater Napanee], Ontario c. 1783 3

Contemporary Notables of the name Behn (post 1700) +

Sosthenes Behn, American Republican politician, Member of Republican National Committee from Puerto Rico, 1912; Delegate to Republican National Convention from Puerto Rico, 1912 4
Robert D. Behn, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Massachusetts, 1972 4
Julius Behn, American politician, Candidate for Connecticut State House of Representatives from Haddam, 1912 4
John W. Behn, American Republican politician, Candidate for Connecticut State House of Representatives from Newtown, 1918 4
Robin Behn (b. 1958), American poet, and professor at University of Alabama
Richard R. Behn, American retired one-star rear admiral of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps
Jerry Behn (b. 1954), American politician, Member of the Iowa Senate (1997-)
Noel Behn (1928-1998), American Writers Guild of America Award nominated writer and actor, known for The Brink's Job (1978), The Kremlin Letter (1970) and Tattingers (1988)
Peter Christian Behn (b. 1934), American voice actor, best known for his voice as Young Thumper in Bambi (1942)
Harry "Giles" Behn (1898-1973), American screenwriter, known for The Big Parade (1925), Hell's Angels (1930) and La Boheme (1926)
... (Another 5 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Behn family +

Bismarck

Johannes Behn (1919-1941), German Matrosengefreiter who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 5

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)
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 29) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
Bismarck & Tirpitz Class - Crew List Bismarck. (Retrieved 2018, February 06). Retrieved from https://www.bismarck-class.dk/bismarck/crew/bismarck_crew.html#crew_details