Behr History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

Early Origins of the Behr family

The surname Behr was first found in Lower Saxony, where the name was anciently associated with the tribal conflicts of the area. They declared allegiances to many nobles and princes of early history, lending their influence in struggles for power and status within the region. They branched into many houses, and their contributions were sought by many leaders in their search for power. The name derives itself from the German word for bear ("der Baer").

Early History of the Behr family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Behr research. Another 123 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1703, 1792, 1798, 1872 and 1876 are included under the topic Early Behr History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Behr Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Behr, Bahr (northern Germany), Barr, Bar, Barre, Baer and many more.

Early Notables of the Behr family

members of the Behr family who possessed extensive estates in Mecklenburg

Behr Ranking

the United States, the name Behr is the 7,358^th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 1 However, in France, the name Behr is ranked the 6,116^th most popular surname with an estimated 1,000 - 1,500 people with that name. 2

Behr migration to the United States +

Behr Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Samuel Behr, who landed in Philadelphia in 1727
Jacob Behr, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1749 3
Johann Jac Behr, who arrived in America in 1749 3
Jacob Behr, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1750 3
P Henry Behr, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1754 3
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Behr Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

G Behr, who arrived in North America in 1832 3
Daniel Behr, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1835 3
Julie Behr, who landed in Texas in 1846 3
Mr. Michael Behr, German who arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1846 aboard the ship "Creole"
Frederich Behr, aged 26, who arrived in Missouri in 1847 3
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Behr migration to Canada +

Behr Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Georg Behr, who landed in Canada in 1777

Behr Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Pauline Behr, who arrived in Quebec in 1850

Contemporary Notables of the name Behr (post 1700) +

Felicia Minei Behr (1942-2025), American television producer and network executive, worked on three daytime serials, helped launch All My Children and won two Emmys for Best Drama Series as executive producer of the show in 1992 and 1994
Otho Behr Jr., early American paint manufacturer, founder of Behr Process Corporation (stylized BEHR) in 1947
Ottomar von Behr (1810-1856), German-born, American settler to Texas where he became a noted meteorologist and naturalist
Ira Steven Behr (b. 1953), American Primetime Emmy nominated television producer and screenwriter, best known for his work on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993-1999)
Hans Hermann Behr (1818-1904), German-born, American doctor, entomologist and botanist
William Leon "Bill" Behr (1919-1997), American professional NBA basketball player who palyed for the Hammond Ciesar All-Americans (1940-1941)
Jason Behr (b. 1973), American actor, known for his work in Roswell (1999-2002), The Grudge (2004) and Skinwalkers (2006)
Lawrence Behr, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from North Carolina, 1964 4
Sepp Behr (1930-2023), German alpine skier who competed in the 1956 Winter Olympics
... (Another 7 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Behr family +

RMS Titanic

Mr. Karl Howell Behr, aged 26, American First Class passenger from New York City, New York who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and survived the sinking escaping in life boat 5 5

Sources +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
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)
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 29) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html