Berens: Last Name Origin and Family Crest

Families named Berens share their surname's story with Behrens, its better-known spelling. The family name meaning is “Son of Bernd (Bernhard)”, the same as for Behrens.

• Berens drops the “h” of Behrens, a simplification that clerks often made.
• Spellings drifted because names were written down by ear in parish books, tax rolls and passenger lists.
• You may also find the name written Behrendt and Bahrens.

Heraldry and the Berens name

Looking for a Berens coat of arms? Arms were granted to families, not to surnames, and our research shows which heraldic tradition fits yours. Want more than a summary? See the Berens family name pack.