Surname Harken - Meaning and Origin
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Harken: What does the surname Harken mean?
The surname Harken originates from a Middle English phrase, harken meaning “to listen”, which is itself derived from the Old English heorcnian which means “to pay attention” or “to be attentive”. This likely refers to an ancestor of the Harken family who was known for his or her attentive and listening nature.
The surname Harken can also be found in many other European cultures. In German, the equivalent surname is Herkenne, and in Dutch the surname is written as Herkend. In Sweden, the surname may be Herkeback, or Herkefalk.
Harken is not a particularly common surname. It originated from the Middle English due to the fact that families and individuals wanted to distinguish themselves through surnames. This may have been because they were well-known or had positions of authority, and wanted others to identify them.
The Harken surname is often used today for people who value listening and paying attention to small details or nuances. Perhaps it is an subconscious reminder to all those who carry the surname to take their responsibilities seriously and to be aware of the small things in life.
Order DNA origin analysisHarken: Where does the name Harken come from?
The name Harken can be found in many countries around the world. In the United States, it is primarily concentrated in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. In Germany, it is common in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and in Hesse, as well as other parts of western Germany. In Scandinavia, it is mainly found in Norway and Sweden. In England, Harken is particularly common in counties in the Midlands and in Wales.
In the United States, the most common variation of the name is 'Harkin', and in Germany it is often spelled 'Harchen'. In Norway, the name is usually spelled 'Harken', and in Sweden it is written as 'Hårken'.
The surname Harken likely originated in western Europe in the Middle Ages, but its roots are difficult to trace due to the limited records that existed during that time. Like many surnames from this era, it could have been derived from the occupation of the first person to adopt the name. One potential origin of the name is a nickname for a clever or sharp person.
People with Harken as a surname are likely scattered all over the world, and in numerous countries, due to the extent of world-wide emigration over the centuries. As a result, it can be difficult to pinpoint where the name is most common today.
Variations of the surname Harken
Variants of the surname Harken include Harcin, Harkeen, Harken/Harke, Harkin/Harkein, Harker, Harkins, Harke, Harkey, Harkee, Harks, Harkiss, Harkler, Harco, Harkone, Harkover, Harcow, Harcos, and Hecht.
The variation of Harken to Harcin is a common name change in English-speaking countries. It is believed that when the family migrated to English-speaking countries, such as America, the spelling of the surname was changed to better suit the native language. The variant Harkeen may originate from the Dutch "ferkhinne" which translates to "lantern" or "light".
The surname Harkins has multiple origins. It could have started as the Gaelic cousin of Harken, or it could have originated from the town of Harkins in Ireland. The Irish Harkins is considered a variant of the Scottish "Harcourt", or from "Harcourt" as a variant form of the name "Harkeley", which means "the clearing of the hart".
The surname Harker derives from the Old Norse "herka", meaning "an army leader". It also has origins; in Germany, the surname "Harker" was derived from the Middle High German "härcar" which means "a contest of strength and skill".
The surname Harke is a variant spelling of Harken and is believed to be a Dutch spelling of the title "Hertog", which refers to a duke or a count. Many variations of Harke are also believed to originate from a Celtic origin meaning "ridge".
Harkiss is likely derived from the Gaelic or Irish family of Mac Harciss (Harcy, Harce, Harcyss, Harciss, and MacCarrick). In Germany, variants of the surname Harkiss are Hecht or Heckt, and this surname usually means "father of the line" or "originator".
The surname Harco is believed to be a variation of the family name "Harken". It may have originated from the Middle High German word "harken" which means "to sharp" or "to search". It is also believed to be derived from the Old English surname "Harke" which means "hedge or fence".
The surname Harcos is believed to have originated in the British Isles as a variant of the English and Scottish surname "Harken". It is also believed to be a Gaelic variant of "MacHarce", a name from the Irish MacCarrick family.
Finally, Hecht is a variant of the surname "Harkiss". In Germany, Hechts are believed to have descended from the family of the same name. The surname is believed to have originated from the Middle High German word "Heche", referring to a "contest of strength or skill".
Famous people with the name Harken
- Josh Harken: American actor, producer, and former model.
- Benny Harken: Australian rugby union player.
- John Harken: retired American Wall Street executive.
- Kelly Harken: Australian actress, known for her roles in television series like McLeod's Daughters and Home and Away.
- Deb Harken: American comedy writer, producer, and actress.
- Peter Harken: American sailor and five time world champion in sailing.
- Kirsten Harken: Danish opera singer.
- Gram Harken: American country music singer and songwriter.
- Kyle Harken: American doctor and soccer enthusiast.
- Ry Harken: American stuntman and actor.