Surname Bohlken - Meaning and Origin
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Bohlken: What does the surname Bohlken mean?
The last name Bohlken, or Bohlke, is a German surname of two possible origins. The first being a habitational name derived from places named Bohlke, Bohle, or Bohlen in the German states of Saarland and Lower Saxony. The second is a patronymic surname meaning 'son of Bolko', the given name Bolko being derived from the Slavic personal name Bolka, a diminutive form of 'boleslaw', which translates to 'great glory'.
The Bohlken name has spread around the world, primarily to other German-speaking countries like Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Russia. It can also be found in places with strong German influences such as the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Australia.
Today, the Bohlken surname is quite common, particularly in Germany and the United States. It is especially well-known in the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and Western Canada, due to German immigration in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
The Bohlken surname is rich in history and has stood the test of time. This powerful family name is one that people are proud to carry and continues to be an influential part of the world today.
Order DNA origin analysisBohlken: Where does the name Bohlken come from?
Bohlken is a German surname. It is common in the northern and eastern parts of Germany. It can also be found in Denmark, the Netherlands, and the United States. The United States has the highest concentration of people with the Bohlken surname; however, this is likely due to immigration from Germany.
In the US, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Nebraska are states with a particularly high concentration of people with the Bohlken surname. In Pennsylvania, the surname is concentrated around the cities of Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton in the Lehigh Valley region. In Wisconsin and Nebraska, the surname is particularly found in the midwestern portion of the states.
The Bohlken surname may also be found in other countries, particularly in countries with a large German population such as Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. It is important to note, however, that the number of people with this surname in these countries is much lower than in Germany, the US, Denmark, and the Netherlands.
In conclusion, the surname Bohlken is quite common in Germany, the US, Denmark, and the Netherlands. It can also be found in other countries, though at much lower numbers.
Variations of the surname Bohlken
The Bohlken surname is found in various spellings throughout Germany, with the original spelling being Bolken. The various spellings include Bohlken, Bolken, Bohlke, Böhlken, Böhlke, Bolcken and Bölcken.
Bohlken is a German patronymic surname derived from the personal name Bolko. The name is believed to have been derived from the medieval German first name Bodo or Boden, which translates to ‘battle’ or ‘ overthrow’.
The Bohlken surname is often found with the prefixes von and zu, which indicate the surname was used among nobility or to mark nobility. Variants without a prefix indicate that the family was of lower social standing at the time of adoption of the surname.
In addition to Bohlken, there are several variant surnames stemming from the same origin. These include Voßbohlken, Boßbohlken, Bönke, Böniken, Bönken and Boenke.
The prevalence of Bohlken surname is particularly concentrated in Northern Germany and some areas of Switzerland. It is unclear if there is a genetic relationship between those surnamed Bohlken today, as many of the different versions could have arisen independently across Germany over the centuries. Furthermore, the same surname could have been adopted by different unrelated families due to common possession of a certain name or occupation.
Famous people with the name Bohlken
- Sandro Bohlken: German footballer who currently plays for MSV Duisburg
- Tilmann Bohlken: German philosopher and professor of philosophy at the University of Hamburg
- Else Bohlken: Dutch athlete who represented the Netherlands at the 1964 Summer Olympics
- Gernot Bohlken: German politician who served as a Member of German Parliament
- Frank Bohlken: German football player who played for Preußen Münster
- Helmut Bohlken: German chef and restaurateur known for his luxurious eatery, Arborescence
- Christian Bohlken: German historian and author of several books on German history
- Wolfgang Bohlken: German composer and music producer
- Michael Bohlken: German alpine skier and ski instructor
- Helgo Bohlken: German biologist and professor at the University of Hamburg