Show ContentsBruhn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

A variety of prominent surnames, such as the name Bruhn, were formed in the lands which became the modern German state of Prussia, known its beauty, industry and military power. However, in the medieval era, Prussia was fragmented and inhabited by numerous barbarian tribes, who fought amongst themselves for control of the land. The borders of the barbarian kingdoms, which were established after the fall of the Roman Empire, changed repeatedly. The region that came to be known as Prussia was roughly divided between the territories of Brandenburg-Prussia, West Prussia and East Prussia. The Bruhn family emerged in Brandenburg-Prussia, which is essentially the birthplace of modern Germany. By the 19th century, Brandenburg-Prussia had incorporated East Prussia, West Prussia and many other German territories. Moreover, in the late 19th century, it led the German states in the unification of Germany.

Early Origins of the Bruhn family

The surname Bruhn was first found in Brandenburg, where the name Brunn 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.

Early History of the Bruhn family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bruhn research. Another 59 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1665 and 1697 are included under the topic Early Bruhn History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bruhn 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 Bruhn include Brunn, Bruen, Bruennen, Bruenne, Brunne, Brune, Brunes, Bruene, Bruhn, Bruehn, Bruhnne, Bruehnne, Bruhne, Bruehne, Bronn, Broenn, Bron, Broen, Bronnen, Broennen, Bronne, Broenne, Brone, Broene, Brones, Broenes, Brohn, Broehn, Brohnne, Broehnne, Brohne and many more.

Early Notables of the Bruhn family

Notable figures of the time with the name Bruhn were

  • Nicolaus Bruhns (1665-1697), a Danish-German organist, violinist, and composer, one of the most prominent organists and composers of his generation

Bruhn Ranking

In the United States, the name Bruhn is the 11,266th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1


Bruhn migration to the United States +

Prussia played an extremely influential role in shaping modern German history. It remained a part of Germany until after the Second World War. Prussia was divided among the Soviet Union, Poland, East Germany and West Germany. Many Prussians became residents of these new countries after the War, and many migrated to other parts of Germany or Europe, as well as to North America. In the United States, the majority of settlers landed in Philadelphia, and moved on to Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, New York, and Maryland. Many German settlers also migrated to Canada, particularly to Ontario and the Prairies. Amongst the settlers in North America with this distinguished name Bruhn were

Bruhn Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Carl Bruhn who arrived in New York City in 1850
  • Carl Bruhn, who arrived in New York, NY in 1850 2
  • Johann Bruhn, who landed in New York, NY in 1850 2
  • Friedrich Bruhn, who landed in New York, NY in 1850 2
  • Heinrich Christian Bruhn, who settled in Texas in 1855
Bruhn Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Josef Bruhn, who arrived in Chile in 1906 2

Bruhn migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Bruhn Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • George Bruhn, aged 37, who arrived in South Australia in 1847 aboard the ship "Hermann von Beckerath" 3
  • George Bruhn, aged n/a, a carpenter, who arrived in South Australia in 1848 aboard the ship "Victoria" 4

Contemporary Notables of the name Bruhn (post 1700) +

  • Milton "Milt" Bruhn (1912-1991), American football player and coach
  • Gay Bruhn, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Illinois, 2008 5
  • Siglind Bruhn (b. 1951), German musicologist and concert pianist
  • Hans Bruhn (1910-1952), Major in the Wehrmacht during World War II, recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
  • Maria Christina Bruhn (1732-1802), Swedish inventor
  • Johannes Bruhn (1898-1954), Generalmajor in the Wehrmacht during World War II, recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
  • Erik Belton Evers Bruhn (1928-1986), Danish dancer
  • Ada Bruhn Hoffmeyer (1910-1991), Danish museum curator, writer and medieval weapons expert, founder of "The Institute of Studies on Ancient Weapons"

Bismarck
  • Walter Bruhn (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 6
  • Kuno Bruhn (1915-1941), German Bootsmaat who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 6


  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. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) HERMANN VON BECKERATH 1847. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1847HermanVonBeckerath.htm
  4. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) VICTORIA 1848. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1848Victoria.htm
  5. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, December 1) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  6. Bismarck & Tirpitz Class - Crew List Bismarck. (Retrieved 2018, February 06). Retrieved from https://www.bismarck-class.dk/bismarck/crew/bismarck_crew.html#crew_details


Houseofnames.com on Facebook