Surname Behncken - Meaning and Origin

Behncken: What does the surname Behncken mean?

The last name Behncken is a German surname, derived from the German occupational surname Bernknecht, which means “broom maker” or “broom seller.” This name originated from the Middle Ages when early versions of brooms were the most used tools in homes and businesses. In German culture, the naming tradition is based on the trade or profession the father holds. Therefore, the surname of Behncken most likely emerged from a distant ancestor who created, sold, or used brooms.

These days, the surname Behncken is quite rare in Germany and there is modest population of individuals with the last name scattered around the world. Though the last name has largely been forgotten by modern day generations, its origin remains as an important part of German culture and history. Due to its unique spelling, it is likely that people with this last name may have quickly adopted it upon immigration as a means to differentiate themselves and their families from the many new immigrants who also shared similar, less distinct last names at the same time.

For those who claim the last name, Behncken symbolizes honest labor and embodies a humble, hard-working ancestor. It's also a reminder of perseverance and a shared commitment to newly adopted communities during a particularly challenging time in history. Therefore, the last name Behncken serves to constantly remind the individuals who carry it of their roots and the incredible journeys of their predecessors.

Behncken: Where does the name Behncken come from?

The surname 'Behncken' is most commonly found in Northern and Central Europe today, with its highest concentrations in Denmark and Germany. In particular, the name is frequent in the German states of Hesse, Saxony-Anhalt and North Rhine-Westphalia, with a smaller number of people in these states also bearing the name.

The ancestry of the Behncken family name can be traced to Viking settlers who arrived in Northern and Central Europe during the 10th and 11th centuries, when it is believed to have been first established in Denmark. Though it is a comparatively rare surname, most people with the name originate in the region, and some may have distant relations to each other.

As of 2019, a search of telephone directories in Denmark and Germany reveals several hundred people bearing the surname, most of whom live in urban centres and peri-urban areas. Some with the surname are more prominent, including Dr. Peter Behncken, a German immunologist who is involved in the development of anti-Covid-19 vaccines; Birgitta Behncken, a Danish television host and presenter of the popular series 'DaVeTU'; and Bettina Behncken, an acclaimed German author and journalist.

By and large, the Behncken surname remains restricted to its place of origin in Northern and Central Europe today, with a notable presence in several German and Danish cities. It can occasionally be found elsewhere, as the modern world brings people from different places and cultures together in ever increasing numbers.

Variations of the surname Behncken

The surname Behncken is of German origin and is traceable back to the 14th century in the former countries of Germany and the Netherlands. The surname is derived from the Middle High German word ‘beneke’ which means a soldier or bowman. Variants of the name often seen in English-speaking countries include Bencken, Behncke, Benck, Benk, Benken, Bechk, Bachmann and many more. In the United States and Canada, noticeable variants of the name include Benkenn, Benken, Benck, Bencklin, Bencken, Bick, Behncke and Becke.

In Germany, the name has been spelled variously as Benke, Bencken, Behen, Benkelin, Beneke, Bencke, Bendel and Benzke. In the Netherlands, spellings of the surname include Bencken, Benken, Benkman, Benckmann, Benkmeule, Benckemeule and Binkmeulen.

In the German regions, it is known that the spelling of a surname often changed slightly when it was adopted by migrants. This was done either due to the influence of the dialect spoken in the area they were moving to or simply by personal choice. So, even in the same family, surnames can often be found with different spellings.

Overall, the Behncken surname has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. It is likely that a fair amount of research into the family history would be necessary to pinpoint the exact lineage.

Famous people with the name Behncken

• Gudrun Behncken: German politician and Member of the European Parliament who is part of the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe.
• Malcolm Behncken: Australian wheelchair basketball player who won a bronze medal at the 1996 Summer Paralympics in Atlanta.
• Doreen Behncken: Australian Paralympic athlete who competed at the 1984 Summer Paralympics in multiple events such as shot put and discus.
• Kevalin Behncken: Thai singer and songwriter who has released three full albums of original music.
• Robert Behncken: British-Canadian actor who has worked in theater and television and is best known for his role in the Lucasfilm film Labyrinth.
• William Behncken: U.S. Navy commander who served during the Spanish–American War and World War I.
• Karen Behncken: Danish field hockey player who has competed in the World Cup, European Championships, and Olympics.
• Christa Behncken: German painter, sculptor, and ceramist who studied under Ernst Fuchs in Vienna and is known for her large-scale drawings and sculptures.
• Tom Behncken: American football coach who was most recently the quarterbacks coach at the University of Minnesota.
• Inge Behncken: German long-distance runner who competed in the 1980 and 1984 Summer Olympics in the marathon and athletics.

Other surnames

BehnckBehncke