Surname Breyers - Meaning and Origin

Breyers: What does the surname Breyers mean?

The last name Breyers is of German origin, derived from the given name "Breyer", which is derived from the middle High German word "bri-hêre" meaning ‘land owner’ or ‘holder of land’. It was originally a name given to a person who owned estates or to a tax collector, and was later used as a surname when surnames were adopted by Europeans in the 11th and 12th centuries.

Over the centuries, the name has spread and has spawned a variety of spelling variations, including, the most commonly used Breyers, which is a form of the original German, Breuer. Other forms include Breer, Breyer, Brayers, Breyers, Breiers, Briar, Brear, Brearly, Brearlye, Brearley, Brearlyes, Barley, Brearlie, Brearlee, and Barrie.

The Breyers name is particularly important in Swabian and Bavarian regions of Germany, where it was widespread in the Middle Ages. It has also had a presence in the Nuremberg region, where it was carried there by refugees from other parts of Germany, and has also been found in other areas including Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium and parts of Scandinavia.

In Lithuania, Breyers is a rare surname with around 400 people currently bearing the name. As it is a rare surname in this region, it is considered an indication of a line of Breyers from another country as it is not particularly common in Lithuania.

Today, the Breyers name can be found across the world, with the majority of Breyers settling in the United States, Canada, and Australia. This is due in part to the vast influx of immigration the three countries experienced throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.

Breyers: Where does the name Breyers come from?

The last name Breyers is most commonly found in the United States and Canada. Breyers is a surname of English, Scottish, and Irish origin. It is derived from the Middle English “Bryers” or “Briwers” meaning “brewer” or “ale-maker.”

The earliest record of the name Breyers dates back to the 11th century in England, where one Griff Breyers was recorded in The Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire. By the end of the 13th century, people bearing the surname had spread to Scotland and Ireland.

In the US, Breyers is most often found in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, and Delaware, due to a large number of German, Dutch, and Scandinavian immigrants who settled in those states in the 18th and 19th centuries.

In Canada, the Breyers surname spread across the country, with a large number of Breyers families settling in Ontario and the Maritimes. Many immigrated from England and Scotland in the 1800s, while some came from Europe in the 20th century.

Today, Breyers can be found in countries around the world, but their largest concentration continues to be in the US and Canada.

Variations of the surname Breyers

The Breyers surname is a variant of the German surname Briese, which was originally an occupational name referring to someone who worked as a cooper or barrel-maker. Variations and other spellings of the name include Briers, Brierson, Briere, Bryers, Bryer, Bryor, and, Bryars.

In the United States, the Briers and Briere spelling led to the development of the Breyers pronunciation. This is because the 'ei' diphthong was pronounced as 'eye' in Early Modern English, causing the sound of the name to be changed to something more familiar. Spelling variations of the Breyers surname have been found in the Netherlands, commonly appearing as Breurs, Breur, Bruers, and Bruer.

The Briers spelling is often found in France, generally taking the form of Brière or Brieux. In England and Scotland, Breyer has taken on an alternate form of Bryer. This variation is derived from the Old English language and dates back many centuries, meaning 'an armorer.' In Ireland, the form of Breyers commonly appears as Briars, Bryers, or O'Brehirs, derived from the Old Irish prefix Ó Briar, meaning 'descendant of Briar.'

In certainly parts of the United States the spelling variants Breyar and Brear have been found. These spellings may act as a bridge between the original German spelling of Briese and the current Breyers form.

In conclusion, the Breyers surname is derived from the German occupational name Briese and may take upon a variety of different spellings which include Briers, Briere, Bryers, Bryer, Bryor, Bryars, Breurs, Bruers, Brière, Brieux, O'Brehirs, Breyar, and Brear.

Famous people with the name Breyers

• Ryan Breyer: World Champion Marathon Racer and Record Holder for Longest Pool Swim.
• Alex Breyer: Founder of Mission Safe, an organization committed to raising awareness about accident prevention amongst youth.
• Jessica Breyer: Actress best known for her roles in television series such as The Big Bang Theory and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.
• James Breyer: Former venture capitalist and early investor in Facebook.
• Steve Breyer: Grammy-nominated and Emmy-winning music producer.
• Gary Breyer: Former MLB All-Star pitcher for the San Francisco Giants.
• Monica Breyer: International garage rock and alternative rock singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.
• Estelle Breyer: Award-winning Recording Academy Trustee, former head of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and co-founder of the MusiCares Foundation.
• Jeff Breyer: Professional wrestler and mixed martial artist.
• Pat Breyer: Retired professional basketball player who played for the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA.

Other surnames

Breyer