Surname Eicken - Meaning and Origin
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Eicken: What does the surname Eicken mean?
The last name Eicken is of German origin and is derived from one of two places. The first place is a municipality in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, located near the Rhine River. The place may have derived its name from the Middle High German words "ei" and "ken," meaning an "Oak Tree." Alternatively, the name may be of local origin, derived from Old High German “eih” meaning “district” or “region,” combined with the word “kin” meaning “near” or “family.” Thus, the name could mean “the family from the district” or “the near family.”
People with this surname would have likely lived in or near the original location in Germany for centuries. Most likely, the people with the Eicken surname maintained an agricultural and herding lifestyle, typical of the region. Other Eickens may have immigrated to other parts of the world, most likely in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Today, many Eickens can be found in Germany, USA, Canada and even Australia. Those with the Eicken surname are likely to keep a connection to their German roots through language, religious traditions and even food. It is also likely that members of the family with this surname are connected to each other across the globe, both through brick and mortar connections as well as through virtual ones.
Order DNA origin analysisEicken: Where does the name Eicken come from?
The last name Eicken is primarily found in Germany today. Its highest concentration is in the southwest in the state of Baden-Wurttemberg and in the city of Wiesbaden in Hessen. The name is also found in Austria, Slovakia, Lithuania, and Poland.
In Germany, Eicken is a rare name as it is estimated there are less than 800 people with the name. It is believed to be of Germanic or Norse origin and derived from nicknames for strong or loyal people.
In the United States, people with this last name are relatively few and far between. The 2000 US Census shows that there were approximately 560 people with the Eicken last name across the country, with the highest percentages living in Michigan, New York, and Wisconsin.
In addition to being found in Europe, the name can also be found in Canada and Australia. Most of these families are descended from immigrants from Germany, Austria, and Poland who came to Canada and Australia in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Overall, Eicken is a rare last name, but it can still be found in several countries across the world, with the highest concentrations being in Germany, the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Variations of the surname Eicken
The surname Eicken is of Germanic origin and dates back to early records in Germany. It is derived from the pre 7th century word “eik” meaning “oak”, the tree which feature prominently in German folk and mythology.
Variant spellings of the surname Eicken include Aiken, Eakins, Eyken, Ikens and Ykens. Surnames of similar origin to Eicken include Eikens, Ekens, Haiken, Hayken and Icken.
The surname Eicken has evolved over time to a number of variations, some of which are more common in certain countries. In Scotland, the surnames Aiken, Eakin and Iken are all derived from the pre 7th century “eik” meaning “oak”. In England, the Eaken surname is derived from a pre 7th century Old Norse word “eikin” meaning “oak tree”.
In Germany, the surname Eicken is more widely used, and in some places the spelling is changed to Eikens, Eeyken or Ykens. These are all derived from the German “eiken” meaning “oak”.
The surname Eicken has also spread to the Netherlands, with variants such as Aeken, Ekeen, Eyke and Haakcan. These variations are derived from pre 7th century Low German words meaning “oak”.
In English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada and Australia, the surname Eicken is often spelled as Aiken, Eyken or Eaken. It is also sometimes referred to as Aikens or Eykens, perhaps as an Americanization of the German original.
Famous people with the name Eicken
- Dagmar Eicken: An actress and host of the German TV show X-Diaries, Eicken is widely known for her role on the series from 2010-2013.
- Hans Eicken: A German general who led the 5th Panzer Division, Eicken played a successful role in the Battle of Stalingrad, leading the relief from the encirclement of German forces in the city.
- Katharina Eicken: A German actress known for The Gentleman Driver and Just Like Me, Eicken has starred in a number of television series since 2009.
- Hans Hermann Eicken: A German diplomat who served as Ambassador to Peru in the 1960s and 70s. After retiring from the diplomatic corps, he was made a professor at the University of Bonn.
- Carl August Eicken: A German botanist and entomologist best known for his contributions in the field of entomology, Eicken authored the three-volume series Das system der Käfer and Die Tvention systematik derReuterschmeider.
- Joseph Eicken: A journalist and filmmaker, Eicken has won numerous awards for his documentaries, including the Adolf Grimme Prize in 2008.
- Christian Eicken: A German biochemist and, since 2017, CEO and co-founder of the biotech company Okapi Biosystems, Eicken is an expert in the area of antibody drug conjugates.
- Dr. Sven Eicken: An Attorney-at-Law, specialised in German and European Healthcare and Pharmaceutical law and Partner at the law firm Nöggerath & Partner in Bonn.