German Last Names Beginning with B: A Comprehensive List

Looking for German last names that start with the letter B? This comprehensive list provides over 40 common and less common surnames, each with a detailed explanation of its origins and potential meanings. Whether you're researching your family history or simply curious about the rich tapestry of German names, this resource has you covered.
1. **Bach:** Meaning "brook" or "stream," this surname is likely a topographic name referring to a place near a body of water.
2. **Baer:** Meaning "bear," this surname is likely a nickname or occupational name for someone who hunted bears or was known for their strength and bravery.
3. **Bauer:** Meaning "farmer" or "peasant," this surname is a common occupational name for someone who worked the land.
4. **Beck:** Meaning "brook" or "stream," this surname is similar in origin to Bach and may also be a topographic name.
5. **Becker:** Meaning "baker," this surname is an occupational name for someone who baked bread.
6. **Beil:** Meaning "axe," this surname is likely an occupational name for someone who worked with axes, such as a woodcutter or blacksmith.
7. **Bellmann:** Meaning "bellman," this surname is an occupational name for someone who rang bells, such as a town crier or church bell ringer.
8. **Berg:** Meaning "mountain," this surname is a topographic name referring to someone who lived near a mountain.
9. **Berger:** Meaning "mountain farmer" or "mountain dweller," this surname is a combination of "Berg" (mountain) and "Bauer" (farmer).
10. **Berghoff:** Meaning "mountain farm," this surname is a combination of "Berg" (mountain) and "Hof" (farm).
11. **Berliner:** Meaning "person from Berlin," this surname is a patronymic for someone who was born in or lived in Berlin.
12. **Bernhardt:** Meaning "brave bear," this surname is a combination of "Bär" (bear) and "hart" (brave).
13. **Beyer:** Meaning "farmer" or "peasant," this surname is a variant of "Bauer."
14. **Bieler:** Meaning "person from Biel," this surname is a patronymic for someone who was born in or lived in the town of Biel.
15. **Binder:** Meaning "binder," this surname is an occupational name for someone who bound books, documents, or other objects.
16. **Birnbaum:** Meaning "pear tree," this surname is a topographic name referring to someone who lived near a pear tree.
17. **Bischoff:** Meaning "bishop," this surname is an occupational name for someone who was a bishop in the Catholic Church.
18. **Blank:** Meaning "empty" or "blank," this surname may have originated as a nickname for someone who was pale or fair-skinned.
19. **Blech:** Meaning "tin" or "sheet metal," this surname is likely an occupational name for someone who worked with tin or sheet metal.
20. **Bloch:** Meaning "block" or "stone," this surname is likely a topographic name referring to a place where there were many rocks or stones.
21. **Blum:** Meaning "flower," this surname is likely a topographic name referring to someone who lived near a field of flowers.
22. **Bock:** Meaning "goat," this surname is likely a nickname or occupational name for someone who raised goats.
23. **Bode:** Meaning "messenger" or "herald," this surname is an occupational name for someone who delivered messages.
24. **Boehm:** Meaning "Bohemian," this surname is a patronymic for someone who was born in or lived in Bohemia.
25. **Boettcher:** Meaning "potter," this surname is an occupational name for someone who made pottery.
26. **Bohn:** Meaning "bean," this surname is likely a nickname or occupational name for someone who grew or sold beans.
27. **Bohr:** Meaning "drill" or "auger," this surname is likely an occupational name for someone who used drills or augers.
28. **Bolz:** Meaning "bolt" or "arrow," this surname is likely a nickname or occupational name for someone who was known for their skill with archery.
29. **Borchert:** Meaning "fort" or "castle," this surname is a topographic name referring to someone who lived near a fort or castle.
30. **Born:** Meaning "born," this surname is a patronymic for someone who was the firstborn child.
31. **Bosch:** Meaning "bush" or "wood," this surname is a topographic name referring to someone who lived near a bush or wood.
32. **Bossert:** Meaning "small boss," this surname is a diminutive of "Boss" and may have been a nickname for someone who was small in stature.
33. **Brandt:** Meaning "fire," this surname is a topographic name referring to someone who lived near a place where fires were common, such as a blacksmith's shop or a forest.
34. **Braun:** Meaning "brown," this surname is likely a nickname for someone who had brown hair or brown eyes.
35. **Breuer:** Meaning "brewer," this surname is an occupational name for someone who brewed beer.
36. **Brock:** Meaning "badger," this surname is likely a nickname or occupational name for someone who hunted badgers.
37. **Bross:** Meaning "brush," this surname is likely an occupational name for someone who made or used brushes.
38. **Bruch:** Meaning "swamp" or "marsh," this surname is a topographic name referring to someone who lived near a swamp or marsh.
39. **Brueckner:** Meaning "bridge builder," this surname is an occupational name for someone who built bridges.
40. **Buchner:** Meaning "bookbinder," this surname is an occupational name for someone who bound books.