Bey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Bey

What does the name Bey mean?

The German state of Bavaria is the ancestral home of the Bey family. Bey is a local name. Bey is a name for someone who lived in Southern Germany. Further research showed the name was derived from the name the Celtic tribe of the “Boii” who once inhabited this area as well as Bohemia. Bey is derived from the Latin root word Bauari, which means Bavarian people. In the 6th century, the Boii were replaced by a Germanic tribe, a branch of the Marcomanni, who adapted the name Boioarii or Baiuarii. Beyer is also the German and Ashkenazic Jewish name for someone from Bavaria, or Bayern.

Early Origins of the Bey family

The surname Bey was first found in Bavaria, where the name was anciently associated with the tribal conflicts of the area. They declared allegiances to many nobles and princes of early history, lending their influence in struggles for power and status within the region. They branched into many houses, and their contributions were sought by several leaders in their search for power. The name is related to “Bayer,” both names referring to the Kingdom of Bavaria, but from early on “Beyer” and its variations formed distinct branches. A high percentage of these branches moved into Silesia, a region just north east of Bavaria.