Surname Harkens - Meaning and Origin

Harkens: What does the surname Harkens mean?

The surname Harkens is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the ancient personal name 'Hereca' combined with the Old English suffix '-s' denoting 'son of.' Therefore, the surname Harkens can be interpreted as 'son of Hereca.' The term 'Hereca' is composed of two elements, 'Here,' which means 'army,' and 'Ric,' which means 'ruler.' Hence, the personal name 'Hereca' generally signifies someone who is a 'ruler of the army.' Anglo-Saxon surnames are often characterized by a multitude of spelling variations due to the fact that in the earlier times, spelling was a highly infrequent activity, with the spelling of names being largely left to the individual's discretion. Thus, Harkens is one among many variations including Hawken, Harkins, and Hawkins. More broadly, this surname reflects a martial heritage or ancestry and speaks to leadership and strength.

Harkens: Where does the name Harkens come from?

The surname Harkens is Germanic in origin, derived from the old German personal name 'Heriman', composed of the elements 'hari', meaning army, and 'man', meaning man. It may also have been an occupational name for someone who works with a harrow. This surname may have various spelling forms including Harkens, Harkins, Harkin, and others.

Throughout history, many people bearing the surname Harkens have immigrated to the United States, so it is quite common in this region today. According to census data, it is particularly common in the states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Iowa. Some Harkens surnames can also be found in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and Canada. Being an infrequent surname, it is not widely dispersed throughout multiple countries or territories; instead, it seems to cluster in specific regions or areas of countries, as mentioned above. The worldwide distribution data shows a significant percentage of individuals named Harkens reside in the US.

Variations of the surname Harkens

The surname Harkens has several variants and alternative spellings which have evolved over time based on geographic location, language, and even personal preference. These alternative spellings and variants may include: Harkins, Harkeens, Harkines, Harckens, and Harken.

Also, some surnames that could be of the same origin due to phonetic similarity or shared roots include Hawkins, Haskins, Hardens, Hartens, and Harbens.

The Harkens surname is primarily associated with Northern European (especially Irish and Scottish) heritages, and its variations correspond to typical linguistic shifts in these regions. Also, it's important to note that spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years. People often spelled their names based on how it sounded to them, which led to the variations.

Genealogical research might be needed to discover more precise surname connections, as variations can be influenced by many factors including cultural shifts, geographic movement, and individual or family choice and preference.

Famous people with the name Harkens

• David Harkens: David Harkens is a Scottish actor, best known for his roles in the films The Fifth Element (1997), Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007), and Maleficent (2014).
• Jack Harkens: Jack Harkens is a British actor who has appeared in a number of popular British TV shows, including Eastenders, Coronation Street, and Doctor Who.
• Scott Harkens: Scott Harkens is an American magician and illusionist, best known for his multi-dimensional acts and stunts at his magic shows.
• Tom Harkens: Tom Harkens is a British singer and musician, most notable for being the lead singer in the punk-rock group, The Stranglers.
• John Harkens: John Harkens is an American football coach, who's currently the head coach of Portland Timbers.
• Steven Harkens: Steven Harkens is a Swiss artist, known for his sculptures, which have been featured in many galleries and exhibitions across Europe.
• Matt Harkens: Matt Harkens is an American film director, producer, and writer, best known for his work on the films American Sniper (2014) and The Dark Knight Rises (2012).
• Sam Harkens: Sam Harkens is an English actor, best known for his roles in the films Layer Cake (2004) and Don't Look Now (1973).
• Kyle Harkens: Kyle Harkens is an American film producer, best known for producing the films The Doors (1991) and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998).
• Alan Harkens: Alan Harkens is an American politician, who served as the Governor of Virginia from 1994-1998.

Other surnames

HarkeHarkenHarkey