Berger
A surname with several independent origins, most often from French for “shepherd” or German for someone living near a hill or mountain.
The #785 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 7,041 Americans shares it.
Etymology
In French, Berger is an occupational surname from berger, meaning “shepherd.” In German, it is usually a habitational or topographic name from Berg, “hill” or “mountain,” with -er meaning “from the hill/mountain” or “person from a place called Berg.” Because the same spelling arose in more than one language, the surname can have different meanings in different family lines.
History
The name appears in both French and German naming traditions and was carried into English-speaking countries through migration from either source. In Germanic areas, Berger is closely related to many place-based surnames built from Berg, while in French records it reflects the common pastoral occupation. In the United States, the surname is fairly widespread and often reflects immigrant ancestry from Germany, France, or Jewish communities using German-language surnames.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The same surname can mean either “shepherd” or “mountain dweller,” depending on which language family it came from.
From the historical record
“BERGER "I (Fr.) Shepherd, Swain [Fr. BERGIER J berger: see Bepgep in Diet.] BERG MANN (Ger.) Miner; Mountaineer [see upder Berg, and + mann\ BERNHARDT (Ger.) Bear-Brave |}O.Ger. Berinhard, Berinhari: Berin-, a dina. form oihero, a bear + O.h.Gex. hard, O.H.Ger^ ' hart, hard, brave] BERNSTEIN (Ger.) Amber [Ger.…”
— Surnames of the United Kingdom: a concise etymological dictionary (2 vols in 1)