Surname Bircken - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'B'
Bircken: What does the surname Bircken mean?
The last name Bircken is of German origin and is believed to be derived from the word "Birk," which means birch tree. The name is thought to be occupational in nature, as many locals would use birch trees in the production of baskets or tools. This name is also thought to originate specifically in the province of Brandenburg, as there were many of the original holders of the name from there and surrounding areas. The name is thought to have taken on a variety of spelling forms depending on the local dialect and is often spelled as Birken, Bircken, Bercken or Berken.
Today, there are many people around the world who carry the last name Bircken. In Germany, the name is most concentrated in the states of Bavaria, Hesse, and Rhineland-Palatinate, as well as Berlin. Outside of Germany, people who carry the name are primarily located in the United States, with more than 35,000 people in the United States presently having the name. Additionally, there are many other countries around the world where individuals of this surname are found.
Within German communities Bircken is associated with a family of artisans, as they were known for their expertise in making baskets. It is believed that the name can be traced back as early as the 16th century in Germany. As the family began to emigrate throughout the centuries, they took their name with them, giving rise to the Bircken surname in many countries.
Order DNA origin analysisBircken: Where does the name Bircken come from?
The last name Bircken is primarily associated with Germany, where it is still common today. According to research by the genealogy website Forebears, as of 2019 the last name was prominently present in the Central German state of Berlin, where it was ranked as the 6381st most common last name in the region. It was also relatively common in other regions of Germany such as Bavaria, where it was ranked as the 6097th most common last name. Meanwhile, in the United States the last name is significantly less prevalent. According to the same research, it only ranked as the 61830th most common last name in the United States, although it is also be found in places such as California and New York. Overall, the last name Bircken is much more common in Germany than in the United States.
Variations of the surname Bircken
Bircken is a surname of German origin. It can be spelled as Birken, Bürcken, or Bürken and its variants Birkner, Bürkner, Birkmann, Bürkmann, Bürchen, Bürchner, Birkenberger, or Bürkenberger.
The surname Bircken is believed to be derived from the Middle High German word berc which means ‘birch’, a type of tree. The name was likely adopted as an occupational name for a person who collected and processed timber from birch trees or other types of wood. It may have also been used to refer to someone who lived near or near a birch grove.
The name also appears in multiple forms like Birckenbach, Birckenbrink, Birckenkamp, Bürckenleben, Bürckenstein, and Bürckenbauer. There is also a variation known as Birckenstock, derived from the word stoc which means ‘tree trunk’.
In the 16th century, the surname Bircken was primarily found in the areas around Hamburg and in Southern Germany, and is still most prevalent in those places today.
Other forms of the name spread to other European countries like Finland, where the surname Bergkén is the most common spelling. In this version, the traditional German ‘B’ was replaced with a ‘Berg’, meaning ‘mountain’. Thus, the name Bergkén in Finland has a slightly different origin from the German version and is believed to refer to someone who lived in the mountains.
Famous people with the name Bircken
- Magda Bircken: A former actress and fashion designer in Mexico.
- Karl Bircken: A German film and television actor, most known for his roles in TV series such as Unter Uns, Alles Was Zählt and Skandal!
- Ulises Bircken: A Mexican cinematographer, writer and producer. He is well known for his work in Horizons of Happiness (2014) andSexo, Pudor y Lágrimas (1999)
- Bobby Bircken: An Austrian actor, most known for his supporting roles in films like Water Bears From Space (2014) and The Livetleman (2010).
- Willie Bircken: An American professional footballer who currently plays for Liga MX side Club León as a striker.
- Frans Bircken: An American artist and graphic designer. He is known for his works in skateboard graphics, vinyl toys and product design
- Marius Bircken: A German political analyst and commentator, specializing in American foreign policy.
- Oskar Bircken: A German professional basketball player who currently plays for SV Halle Lions of the Basketball Bundesliga.
- Anne Bircken: A Dutch figure skater, competing in singles and pairs. She is a two-time Dutch national champion in ladies' singles.
- Sabine Bircken: A German women's rights activist primarily fighting for the rights of women in the workplace.