The Buckner Family History

What Does the Buckner Surname Mean? Historical Origins Explained

The surname Buckner is of both German and English origins, deriving from the Old English words ‘bucca’ and ‘bucc,’ which denote a male goat or deer. Variations of the name include Buchner, Buckman, Buchenau, Bocher, Buckner itself, as well as Buck and Bucknor. In German contexts, the name is often rendered as Bruckner or Buechner. The ancestral roots of the Buckner family in Germany can be traced back to Brandenburg. In England, the surname is predominantly found in southern regions, particularly in the city of London and the counties of Middlesex, Surrey, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, and Oxfordshire. Scottish Buckner families are primarily located in Aberdeenshire, Midlothian, Lanarkshire, and Angus. In the United States, early Buckner settlers established their homes in states such as Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana. Notable individuals bearing the Buckner surname include Mary M. Buckner, a science fiction novelist; William Jennings “Billy” Buckner, a professional baseball player; Susan Buckner, an actress known for her work in film and television; Simon Bolivar Buckner, a general in the Confederate Army during the Civil War; Brentson Buckner, a professional football player; William Joseph “Bill” Buckner, also a professional baseball player; and Richard Buckner, a singer-songwriter.