Surname Dickenscheidt - Meaning and Origin

Dickenscheidt: What does the surname Dickenscheidt mean?

The last name Dickenscheidt is of Low German origin and is derived from the name Dickens, derived from the Old Germanic ‘diks’, meaning a deep hollow or ravine. It is believed to have evolved from the personal name ‘Diksen’, which was given to people who lived in old hilly or ravine-like districts.

Medieval records show that the name Dickenscheidt first emerged in the 14th century, when families of the same name began to establish themselves in Northern and Central Germany. It quickly spread to other areas in Germany, such as Bavaria and Luxembourg, as well as to the Dutch region.

The surname Dickenscheidt is believed to have been bestowed upon individuals with qualities of a deep hollow – in this case referring to someone’s character and personality traits. Those with the last name are thought to be strong, determined and independent individuals with a penchant for standing out and striving for a goal. They are also highly principled and motivated to see a task through to its completion.

Given its German origin, the name is most common in German-speaking countries, including Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, as well as the United States and other English-speaking countries. Although not as widespread as some other surnames, the name Dickenscheidt remains an intriguing and unique moniker.

Dickenscheidt: Where does the name Dickenscheidt come from?

The last name Dickenscheidt is common primarily in Europe today, particularly around Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. This is because the word Dickenscheidt comes from a German origin. The literal translation of the word is “ditch corner,” so it is believed that the name refers to someone who originally lived near a ditch.

The name is also found in the US in Hannah, Kansas, because the first German settlers to the area were the Dickenscheidt’s. Anna and Wilhelm Dickenscheidt arrived in the area in the 1880’s, founding a German-American bank that ultimately supplied much of the area with jobs.

The name is also common in the surrounding states. It's not clear how the family spread throughout Europe and the United States, but it appears that it did not remain concentrated in one area for long, as it can be found in many different countries.

Today, the name is still prominent in Europe, including Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. The name was likely spread so widely due to immigration during the 19th century, as well as World War I and II. Dickenscheidt is an uncommon name, but it is not rare and can still be found in many places around the world.

Variations of the surname Dickenscheidt

The surname Dickenscheidt is derived from the German language and has a variety of spellings and variants. Dickenscheidt is the original German form of the name.

The original spelling can also be found as 'Dinkenscheidt', 'Dinkenschied', or 'Dinkenschiedt'. The 'c' in the first spelling has been replaced by a 'k' in some cases. It can also be spelled as 'Dickenschied' or 'Dickenschiedt', with a double 'c'.

In the United States, the surname may be spelled 'Dickenshed' or 'Dickenshead', with the 'c' being dropped. The double 'e' in the second spelling is sometimes replaced by a single 'e'. This is seen when the name is corrupted into variants such as 'Dikenshead'. The name may also occasionally be found as 'Dickenschied' or 'Dickenshied'.

Other variants of the surname include 'Dinkeschied', 'Dinkiesschied', 'Dinkinschiet', 'Dinkeschiet', 'Dinkescht', 'Dinckesheid', 'Dinkerschiedt', 'Dinkersheidt', 'Dinkesheidt', 'Dinckscheed', 'Dinckscheedt', 'Dickesheit', 'Dinkedsheidt', and 'Dinckescheedt'.

Many surnames resembling 'Dickenscheidt' can be found in a variety of cultures. Many Germanic surnames are similar, such as 'Dinckschild', 'Dinkeschild', 'Dickschild', and 'Dunckelscheidt'. It can also be seen in Dutch variants, such as 'Dickenschiedt' and 'Dinkescheed'.

In the end, the variants of the Dickenscheidt surname all trace back to the original German name, with a range of spellings and forms accumulated over time.

Famous people with the name Dickenscheidt

• Allen Dickenscheidt: German soccer referee
• Kerstin Dickenscheidt: German alpine skier
• Christian Dickenscheidt: German rower
• Sönke Dickenscheidt: German swimmer
• Ernst Dickenscheidt: German swimmer
• Wolfgang Dickenscheidt: German artist
• Josephine Dickenscheidt: German opera singer
• Margret Dickenscheidt: German swimmer
• Fredi Dickenscheidt: German auto racing driver
• Lydia Dickenscheidt: German photographer
• Mirjam Dickenscheidt: German track and field athlete

Other surnames

Dickenscheid