Surname Cassen - Meaning and Origin
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Cassen: What does the surname Cassen mean?
The surname Cassen is of Swedish, German, and Danish origin. It is derived from an old personal name, Kås, which in turn comes from a Scandinavian name with the elements kasar and kassa, meaning “chest.” It was a common name among Scandinavian nobility, used primarily as a patronymic, and its use was adopted in the region’s Christian communities during the Middle Ages. During this same period, the use of the name Cassen as a surname gained popularity, particularly in Sweden and Denmark, though it spread as far as North America in the 1800s by way of emmigration.
Cassen is classified as a habitation name, indicating that its original bearer lived near a landmark that was already identified by a name, such as a bridge, crossroads, house, inn, or other structure. The modern spelling of Cassen has no known variants, though surnames derived from similar Scandinavia names, such as Kassen, Kasen, Caster, Costin, Kasten, and Casper, can be found in genealogical records throughout European history.
Throughout the centuries, Cassen families have worked a variety of blue-collar trades in both rural and urban settlements, such as fishermen, farmers, sailors, tradesmen, miners, and millers, though in modern times the name is associated with service and commercial sectors, as well as those involved in the sciences and the arts. Today, descendants of the original Cassen family can be found in all corners of the world, evidence of their ancestors’ emigration across the globe.
Order DNA origin analysisCassen: Where does the name Cassen come from?
The last name Cassen is most commonly found in Germany and France today, as well as in significant numbers throughout other parts of Europe. Cassen is likely of Germanic origin, and records indicate older generations lived in areas like Westphalia and Prussia. Today, the surname is having a resurgence in Germany, where it is among the top 1,000 most common surnames.
In France, Cassen is primarily found in the Alsace-Lorraine region in the Northeast of the country. As of 2014, it was the 851st most common name in France. The surname is similarly common in Luxembourg, and in other parts of the world, including Australia.
Other smaller populations of Cassen appear in Canada, the United States, the Netherlands, Estonia, and Russia. Most likely the surname was introduced to those countries by people whose families had emigrated from Europe over the past century.
The popularity of the surname Cassen today, both in Europe and in other parts of the world, is testament to its long history and the journey it has made over the years.
Variations of the surname Cassen
Cassen is an uncommon French surname that dates back to medieval times. The name is said to have come from the Latin "cassus" meaning "empty". Variations of the surname include Casson, Cassam, Cassem and Cassamme.
Cassen is also spelled as Casen, Casan, Cassan, Cason, Casson, and Cassam. In some cases, it may also be written as Cassonnet, Cassens, Cassin and Cassonneau. Variations on the spelling of Cassen have been seen in England and Scotland, such as Casseneuve, Cassin, Cassonnay and Cassano.
In Germany, the surname Cassen is found in several different forms, including Kessen, Kessenmacher, Kessenmüller, Kessenauer, Kessenbacher, Kesser, Kessede, and Kesselheim. In Spain, the surname is most commonly spelled as Casán or Cassen.
In the Netherlands, the surname is commonly seen as Cassens, Casson, Cassenaar or Casemans. These variations can be seen in other European countries as well. For example, in Italy the surname is seen as Cazzaniga, Casagrande or Cassanello, while in Poland it is seen as Casson, Casola or Casse.
Surnames like Cassen can also be seen in other parts of the world, especially in Canada and the United States. A less common variant of the name is Cassin, which was originally found in Ireland in the mid-1700s. In the United States, the surname is most commonly seen as Cassane, Casen or Cason.
Famous people with the name Cassen
- John Cassen: British actor who acted in several films in the 1980s, including The Elephant Man and A Room with a View.
- Jordi Cassen: American singer-songwriter who has released four solo albums and is best known for his hit single, "Lovergirl".
- John Cassen: American film director and producer known for helming movies in a variety of genres including action, horror, and comedy.
- Mike Cassen: English professional footballer who played for clubs such as Tottenham Hotspur and Ipswich Town.
- Paul Cassen: Former Major League Baseball player who had a four-season stint as a pitcher for the San Francisco Giants.
- Tony Cassen: Winner of the 2015 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field championship in 400 meters and currently holds the all-time record for the event.
- Syd Cassen: Canadian multidisciplinary artist who has made a name for herself through her innovative and often outrageous art installations and designs.
- Max Cassen: American actor, writer and director. He has credits in both television and film and is known for his roles in the shows Joey and The Big Bang Theory.
- Emily Cassen: English actress; she is best known for her role as Witchfinder Rose in the BBC supernatural drama series Wolf Hall.
- Laura Cassen: Australian author, artist and entrepreneur best known for her work in writing and illustrating the award-winning children’s books series ‘Daughter of the Sun’.