Surname Göken - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'G'
Göken: What does the surname Göken mean?
Göken is a surname of Germanic origin. It is found primarily in Germany, as well as other German-speaking countries. The name is derived from the Germanic personal name "Geoking" (also spelled Geking or Göeking), which was an ancient title used for male kings or rulers. Geoking was an Old High German name meaning "king" or "ruler" and was used to indicate a person of noble descent.
The name Göken is believed to have originated with the medieval Germanic tribe known as the Saxons. This tribe was known to be fiercely independent, and the name may signify the idea of an independent ruler. It is also theorized that the name was adopted by some Germanic tribes as a way to distinguish themselves from other people of the same origin.
In modern Germany, the name is still relatively common, and those with the surname are usually believed to come from a long line of Saxon ancestry. Göken is also used in many other German-speaking countries, including Austria and Switzerland, where the name is sometimes spelled "Göking." In the English-speaking world, the name is usually pronounced "Geeking" or "Geekingen."
Göken is an incredibly ancient name that carries a lot of prestige in many countries. It is a well-known name among the Germans and is a proud testament to the rich and colorful history of the Germanic people.
Order DNA origin analysisGöken: Where does the name Göken come from?
The last name Göken is most predominantly found in Germany today. It is relatively uncommon, but some other countries where it can be found include Austria, Denmark, Netherlands, and Switzerland. The number of people bearing the Göken name is small, but because Germany has such a large population, the estimated amount of people with the Göken surname is relatively higher than in other countries.
It is believed that the Göken family originally originated from the Oldenburg region of Germany, near the city of Göttingen. It is thought that the family started as Göcken and then later changed their name when they moved away from Oldenburg. The Gökens that remain in Germany are mainly concentrated in the Lower Saxony area, where there are cities such as Hanover, Wolfsburg, and Göttingen.
Outside of Germany, the Göken family name is especially common in Denmark and Austria. There are small numbers of Gökens in East Europe, the United States, and even Canada. In the United States, the most common states for Gökens to be located are California, Texas, and Florida. In Canada, the Göken family name is found mainly in Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta.
In short, the surname Göken is a fairly rare, but still fairly widespread name. Most Gökens are located in Germany, but other parts of Europe, North America, and East Europe also have their fair share of Gökens. It is likely that we will continue to see the Göken surname in new areas, as people continue to move around the world.
Variations of the surname Göken
The surname Göken is derived from the Germanic name Gokin, which originated in the 12th century. The variants, spellings and surnames that are related to Göken are Goken, Gogne, Goehren, Gegen, Kane, Kent, Köcking, and König.
The earliest record of Göken is found in Outterste Alzingen from 1276. In this document, Johannes Goken was recorded as receiving two hectares of land. In the late 14th century, records document Peter Goken in Harburg, Germany.
In its various forms, Göken is found throughout Germany in both areas settled by the Anglo-Saxons and in the Saxon areas of the country. The surname is also found in Netherlands, Switzerland, Prussia, and Austria with many records in those countries being in Dutch, Swiss German, Russian, and Austro-Bavarian.
Göken families are known to have a military history, with many enlisting and even leading important military campaigns in the past. They also seem to have settler tendencies, as evidenced by their widespread presence throughout Germany and its neighboring countries.
Despite its popularity, Göken is still a relatively rare surname. Historically, it is most common in the German states of Saxony and Hesse. Currently, Göken-related surnames are most commonly found in Germany, Switzerland, and the United States.
Famous people with the name Göken
- Matthias Göken: German actor and musician
- Rüdiger Göken: former German football player
- Carsten Göken: German composer and singer
- Anja Göken: German actress
- Johannes Göken: German playwright, director and actor
- Joachim Göken: German actor
- Marcel Göken: German guitarist, singer and songwriter
- Manfred Göken: German neurologist
- André Göken: German sculptor and painter
- Moritz Göken: German photographer and filmmaker
- Romy Göken: German artist and engraver
- Peter Göken: German broadcast engineer
- Frieder Göken: German sculptor
- Wolfgang Göken: German historian
- Oliver Göken: German Author
- Christian Göken: German sound engineer
- Sarah Göken: German photographer
- Bernd Göken: German carpenter and woodworker
- Alfred Göken: German film maker
- Naik Göken: German basketball player
- Evelin Göken: German skier
- Nick Göken: German musician and composer