Show ContentsBrugger History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Brugger family

The surname Brugger was first found in Hessen, where the name was closely identified in early mediaeval times with the feudal society which would become prominent throughout European history. The name would later emerge as a noble family with great influence, having many distinguished branches, and become noted for its involvement in social, economic and political affairs. Translated literally, the name means "bridge-man," and referred to the occupation of taking toll at bridges. The name was found most frequently in Frankfurt in the 12th and 13th centuries.

Early History of the Brugger family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brugger research. Another 161 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1473, 1480, 1521, 1583, 1654, 1818 and 1819 are included under the topic Early Brugger History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Brugger Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Bruckmann, Bruckman, Bruchmann, Bruchman, Brukmann, Brueckmann, Brueckman, Bruechmann, Bruekmann, Bruegmann (northern Germany), Brueggemann (Westphalia), Bruckmayr (Bavaria), Bruckmayer (Bavaria) and many more.

Early Notables of the Brugger family

Prominent figures of the time who bore the name Brugger were Hans Brüggemann (ca. 1480-c. 1521), a German artist, best known for his large carved altarpiece in Schleswig Cathedral; John Brugman, O.F.M., (died 1473) a 15th-century Franciscan friar...
Another 37 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Brugger Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Brugger Ranking

In the United States, the name Brugger is the 17,027th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1


United States Brugger migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Brugger Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Gerh W Brugger, who landed in America in 1848 2
  • Christ Brugger, who arrived in Colorado in 1885 2

Contemporary Notables of the name Brugger (post 1700) +

  • Kathleen Ruth Brugger (b. 1943), American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from California, 2004 3
  • John Brugger, American Democratic Party politician, Member of Democratic National Committee from North Dakota, 1912 3
  • Nathalie Brugger (b. 1985), Swiss sailor at the 2012 Summer Olympics
  • Kurt Brugger (b. 1969), Italian gold, seven-time silver and two-time bronze luger

Bismarck
  • Albert Brugger (1920-1941), German Maschinengefreiter who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 4


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. 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)
  3. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, December 1) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  4. Bismarck & Tirpitz Class - Crew List Bismarck. (Retrieved 2018, February 06). Retrieved from https://www.bismarck-class.dk/bismarck/crew/bismarck_crew.html#crew_details


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