Surname Eickens - Meaning and Origin
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Eickens: What does the surname Eickens mean?
The last name Eickens is of Germanic origin and is derived from the name Eick, a given name common in the Middle Ages. It is a patronymic surname, meaning that it was derived from the first name, or given name, of the father or ancestor of the person bearing the surname.
The root of this name is derived from the personal name Eckhard, which translates to “firm” or “strong.” It is likely that this name was originally applied to a person who demonstrated qualities of strength and fortitude. Over time, the given name and surname were adopted by many different families across Germany and other Germanic regions.
In the modern day, the surname Eickens is still quite common in Germany, as well as many other European countries. In England, this name is also seen as Sichtens, Ekins, Eikins, and Ækkens, among other forms.
Given the origins of this surname, those with the name Eickens can take pride in its historic ties to strength and fortitude. Whether they are descendants of the original family who adopted the surname, or from a more recent branch, a proud history of courage and perseverance are part of what makes up this special surname.
Order DNA origin analysisEickens: Where does the name Eickens come from?
The last name Eickens is most commonly found in the United States and Germany. It is a German last name with a few variations of the spelling, such as Eickens, Aikens, and Eicken. In the US, you may find the last name most often in the Midwest and the Southeastern states.
In German records, the earliest mention of the surname is from the 14th century in an area of Lower Saxony. The Eickens family was known as an important part of the region’s civic life. Historical records show a lack of mobility within the Eickens family, suggesting they stayed in the same general area.
Today, the largest population of people bearing the last name Eickens can be found in Michigan and Arkansas with smaller populations present in Ohio, Iowa, Nebraska, and Illinois.
There is also a notable population in New York City, suggesting that either the family has since spread geographically or that immigrants from Germany bearing the Eickens last name have moved to the US.
The last name Eickens has an interesting history with its German origins and its present-day presence in both Germany and the United States. It is a reflection of both the importance of family and the progress of immigration.
Variations of the surname Eickens
Eickens is an unusual and uncommon surname. It is derived from the common German surname Eichel, which is a topographic name for someone who lived near an oak tree, or a habitational name for someone who lived in a place called Eichel. Variants of the name Eickens include Eicke, Eicken, Eckens, Eichens, Eykens and Eyckens. There can be multiple spellings of Eickens, depending on the region. In some regions, the spelling “Icken” is preferred, while other regions prefer “Ecken”. Surnames of similar origin would include Eickel, Eikel, Eikhoff, Icken, and Eickhorst. These surnames all stem from the German surname Eichel, while Eickens is more specifically derived from an alternate spelling, Eyckens. Depending on the region, there are certain preferred spellings. For example, in the United States, the spelling “Eich” is more popular than “Eichel”, while in Germany the opposite is true. No matter the spelling, they all originate from the same surname.
Famous people with the name Eickens
- Willem Eickens, Dutch soccer player.
- Reinhold Eickens, German lawyer and politician.
- Dieter Eickens, German actor.
- Debrah Eickens, American bodybuilder.
- Harry Eickens, Canadian politician.
- Leon Eickens, Dutch painter.
- Arnoud Eickens, Dutch philosopher.
- Pieter Eickens, Dutch cartoonist.
- Maria Eickens, Dutch author.
- Chris Eickens, American football player.