Surname Barkhausen - Meaning and Origin

Barkhausen: What does the surname Barkhausen mean?

The surname Barkhausen is of German origin and is derived from the Old German personal name Barko, which was given to an "impulsive, energetic person" or one with similarly loud characteristics. The compound Barkhausen literally translates to “Barko’s house.” As such, Barkhausen began as a name given to a person who was proprietor of a settlement or a manorial lordship, as well as one who lived nears a notable landmark.

In Germany today, the Barkhausen surname is more commonly found in southwestern Germany in the region that was previously known as the German Grand Duchy of Baden. It is estimated that around 4,000 people currently bear this surname in Germany.

More recently, Barkhausen served as the name of a physicist, scientist, and electrical engineer who was responsible for identifying the phenomenon of magnetostriction. This scientific breakthrough was the result of his own experimentation and ultimately led to the development of the high-frequency oscillator. The effects of his amphibian could be seen in the invention of wireless telegraphy, radio broadcasting, and even the electron microscope.

Altogether, the Barkhausen surname is an apt surname for those of Germanic heritage, embodying the determination and creativity that is inherent in the German people.

Barkhausen: Where does the name Barkhausen come from?

The last name Barkhausen is commonly found in Germany, as well as some parts of Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. It is a German surname derived from the personal name "Barko," which is a diminutive of the Germanic personal name "Bertram." Today, the last name Barkhausen is still prevalent throughout Germany and can be found in smaller numbers throughout the aforementioned countries.

In Germany, the highest concentration of Barkhausen families is found in the Rheinland region, specifically in the city of Trier. It is also somewhat common in western Germany, particularly in North Rhine-Westphalia. Those with the Barkhausen surname in this area are mostly descendants of settlers from Belgium and Holland.

The Barkhausen surname is also scattered throughout the US; It is most commonly found in Pennsylvania, Colorado, and Wisconsin. The largest group in the US is located in Pennsyvania, with the second largest group in Wisconsin, followed by Colorado.

The last name Barkhausen is most likely derived from the Middle High German words "bark" (birch) and "haus" (house). There are also a few other theories that suggest other etymological roots. Regardless of the origin, the last name is a distinct, enduring legacy.

Variations of the surname Barkhausen

The Barkhausen surname has many variants including Barkhaus, Barkhause, Barkhowse, Barkhouse, Barkhousen, Barkhouse, and Barkowsen. Different spellings and forms of this family name are believed to have been born out of clerical errors, Dahausen, Dalhausen, for instance, originated in clerical errors by record keeping of illiterate people. However, some of the variants are regional dialects.

The most common variant is Barkhausen, from Germany, and this name is derived from a habitational name from a place named Barkhausen, a former municipality in Münster, North Rhine-Westphalia. This is the origin of the Barkhausen name, and was popularized in other countries.

The other variants are from Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, and parts of Scotland. Many of them are derived from the initial Barkhausen form, such as Barkhowse, Barkhouse, Barkhousen, Barkhouse, and Barkowsen. The variants last names could also be derived from the German word meaning "Oak house" (Baumhaus).

In Scotland, the name is sometimes spelled Barkhouse, which has been rooted in the Lowland Scots language. However, the origin is unclear since there are many possible variants, such as the Scottish variant Barkhee, Barchee, and Barkey.

The Barkhausen surname is noble and ancient, and it has a long history. The name has its roots in Europe, and it is very common – found in many countries in Europe, such as Germany, Austria, Netherlands, and Scotland. The variants of the surname are a reminder of the evolution of surnames, and prove that common surnames have evolved and changed throughout many years.

Famous people with the name Barkhausen

• Ludwig Karl Friedrich Wilhelm Barkhausen (1881–1956): German physicist who is credited with making the first discoveries leading to the development of the transistor.
• Hermann Barkhausen (1881–1956): German physicist and Nobel Prize laureate in Physics.
• Ritter von Barkhausen (1722–1780): German military commander, artillery commander, and contributor to several military theory books.
• Thomas Barkhausen (1869–1932): German physicist, inventor of oscilloscope, an important instrument for measuring electrical signals used in everyday life.
• Friedrich Wilhelm Barkhausen (1770–1829): German surgeon, anatomist and physiologist who is credited with creating several instruments and experiments in the field of surgery and medicine.
• Reinhard Barkhausen (died July 2016): German physicist and professor at the Technische Universität Berlin.
• Karl Barkhausen (1896–1959): German race car driver who won several races in the 1920s.
• Fritz Barkhausen (1887–1939): German writer, physicist, and philosopher.
• Martin Barkhausen (1891–1986): German geographer and explorer who was one of the first to study the southern Hemisphere in depth.
• Alfred Barkhausen (1905–1990): German architect and urban planner.

Other surnames

BarkhauBarkhaus