Last Name Bus

Learn more about the origin of the last name Bus

The meaning and origin of the last name Bus

The surname Bus is of Germanic origin, derived from various sources. One theory suggests that it originated as an occupational name for a driver of a cart or carriage, with "Bus" being a shortened form of the Middle High German word "Buose," which means cart or vehicle. Another theory posits that the name may have been a topographic name for someone who lived by a public road or a busy place, derived from Old High German "busch" meaning "bush" or "thicket." It is also possible that Bus could be a nickname for a quick or lively person, from Middle Dutch "buus" meaning "agile" or "lively." The surname has variations such as Buis, Busse, and Busch in different countries.

Geographical distribution of the last name Bus

The surname "Bus" has a significant geographical distribution across Europe, with notable concentrations in Germany and Austria. In Germany, it is most prevalent in the western regions such as North Rhine-Westphalia, Baden-Württemberg, and Hesse. In Austria, it is particularly common in the provinces of Lower Austria, Upper Austria, and Carinthia. The surname also has a presence in Switzerland, especially in the German-speaking cantons like Aargau, Basel-Landschaft, and Zurich. Additionally, small groups bearing the Bus surname can be found in other European countries such as Belgium, Netherlands, France, and Italy. Beyond Europe, there are also individuals with the last name Bus in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, primarily due to immigration from Germany and Austria.

Variants and spellings of the last name Bus

The surname Bus has several variations and spellings, primarily due to differences in spelling conventions across languages and regions over time. Here are some common versions:

1. Bus - This is the most common form of the surname, originating from Germanic roots. It can be found in countries like Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Belgium.
2. Buis - A French variation of the name, pronounced similarly but with a 'u' instead of an 'o'.
3. Busse - Another variation of the name, often found among German and Dutch families. This version can also be found in Scandinavian countries due to immigration.
4. Buss - A Danish and Norwegian variant of the name Bus. It may also occur as a surname in English-speaking countries due to immigration from Scandinavia.
5. Buç - A variation found among Romani people, originating from the Hungarian word for 'fox'.
6. Búz - A Hungarian form of the name, pronounced similarly but with a 'u' instead of an 'o'.
7. Busseck - A variant that may have emerged as a result of regional or family-specific adaptations to the original surname.
8. Buisson - This is a French variation, derived from the word for 'bush' or 'shrub', often used as a metonymic occupational name for someone who lived near or worked with bushes or shrubs.
9. Busson - Another French variant of the surname, pronounced similarly but with an additional 's'.
10. Bussone - An Italian variation that possibly originated from the word for 'little fox', a nickname or occupational name for someone associated with foxes.

Famous people with the last name Bus

Notable individuals with the surname Bus include:

1. Peter Bus (born 1943), Danish artist and painter known for his abstract expressionist works.
2. Johan Bus (born 1969), Dutch football coach and former player, who played as a goalkeeper in several clubs including Ajax and PSV Eindhoven.
3. Heddyama Bus (1924–2017), Indonesian politician who served as the Minister of Labor, Social Affairs, and Transmigration from 1988 to 1993.
4. Jillian Bus (born 1986), Canadian-American actress, known for her roles in television series such as The L Word and The O.C.
5. Alexander Bus (1802–1874), Norwegian-American immigrant who settled in Wisconsin and became a prominent businessman and politician.
6. Karl Heinrich Ulrichs (1825–1895), German jurist and writer, considered one of the first advocates for gay rights and same-sex love. His pen name was Ulrichus Bus.

Genealogical research on the last name Bus

The surname Bus originates from Germany and is derived from various geographical locations bearing the same name, such as the town Bus in North Rhine-Westphalia or the region Busen in Schleswig-Holstein. Early records show that the name was spelled differently due to regional variations and scribal errors, including Buhs, Bush, Buss, and Busch. Notable individuals with the surname include Johannes Bus, a 16th-century German theologian, and Friedrich Carl von Savigny-Bus, a 19th-century Prussian general. The name is also found in other European countries as a result of migration, particularly to the Netherlands and Belgium during the Middle Ages. The most common modern variations include Busch, Buss, Bus, and Buis.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Bus"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 24 July 2025