Surname Deaken - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'D'
Deaken: What does the surname Deaken mean?
The last name Deaken is an English surname possibly derived from the nickname “Deken,” which is a Middle English spelling of the Old English name "dicen,” meaning “dickens” or “little lad.” The name was used to describe a small or young person, or someone with a mischievous or energetic nature.
The Deaken name may have been first established during medieval times when surnames were being adopted. It could also have referred to someone who worked in a trade or profession where they made or dealt with “dicks,” a type of small or short object. Significantly, during this era surnames often referred to tradespeople, so someone with the last name “Deaken” could have been a smith or tradesperson who worked in a forge or forge shop.
The Deaken name that may also have been derived from place names of English origin. It is possible that it originated in places such as Deaken, Devon or Decan in Yorkshire. In these instances, it would have been employed to describe someone who had come from one of these locations.
The Deaken family has long been established in England, with records of the name being found as early 16th century. In recent times, some Deakens have emigrated to other countries, such as the United States and Australia, where members of the Deaken family have settled. As such, Deakens may now reside in various parts of the world.
Order DNA origin analysisDeaken: Where does the name Deaken come from?
The last name Deaken is most common in the United States and Canada today. Deaken is an English surname originating from the Middle English word 'deen', meaning valley. It is thought to have been adopted by people who lived in or near an area of low, open land.
The earliest known records of Deaken name date to the late-1200s, when it was used in a document in the town of Burton upon Trent in England. This area was known for its rich agricultural lands and the name was likely originally applied to farmers in the region.
In the United States, the Deaken name is quite common today, with around 6200 people bearing the name in 2018 alone. Most Deaken’s can be traced back to Massachusetts or New York, where the name was borne by emigrants from England during the colonial period.
The majority of Deaken's in Canada can be found in the province of Ontario, where there are more than 700 individuals with the last name. In the west, the name is also fairly common in Alberta, with around 400 Deakens in the province.
Overall, Deaken is a fairly common last name in both the United States and Canada, with many individuals tracing their family histories to Europe.
Variations of the surname Deaken
Deaken is an English and Irish surname of Anglo-Saxon origins. Variants of this name include Deakin, Deakan, Deakin, Deagne, Deaggan, Deagan, Deaggin, Deaggen, Deiggan, Deiggain and Deake. In the Irish branch of the name, Deakin is the most commonly used form.
The name Deaken is derived from the Old English word dic, which means ditch or valley. It likely started as a descriptive name for someone who lived by or near a valley, giving them distinctiveness in a close-knit community. It is also possible that the name was taken on as an occupational name for someone who dug ditches.
Over time variants of the name evolved as populations began to migrate and assimilate into different cultures. In Ireland, the name is spelt Deakan or Deaggan. In England, the most prevalent spellings are Deakin and Deagan. Moving to the United States, the spelling variants become more numerous, spelling examples such as Deake, Deaggen, Deiggan, Deiggain, and Deakan.
Due to its relatively common usage and the fact that emigration from Britain across the past few centuries has been significant, Deaken can be found in many countries across the world today. The Deaken surname is particularly common in the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia.
Famous people with the name Deaken
- Chris Deaken: A professional alpine skier from Austria who represented his country at the World Championships and Olympic games.
- Steve Deaken: Controversial English football manager who has managed various teams in the English Football League.
- Lillian Deaken: A businesswoman from Canada who is a partner at BDO Canada LLP.
- Mercedes Deaken: British actress known for her roles in the British comedy-drama series The Book Group and The Bill.
- Alan Deaken: Former professional soccer player from England who played two professional seasons with the San Jose Earthquakes.
- David Deaken: Award-winning English novelist best known for writing science fiction and fantasy books.
- Jeff Deaken: Award-winning Canadian musician who is primarily known for his performance on the television show Canadian Idol.
- Paul Deaken: A retired Canadian soccer player who represented his country at the 1998 FIFA World Cup.
- Shannon Deaken: Australian golfer who has represented her country in a number of international competitions.
- Zane Deaken: Canadian film and television actor best known for starring in the popular television show Strange Days at Blake Holsey High.