Surname Larkens - Meaning and Origin

Larkens: What does the surname Larkens mean?

Larkens is a unique surname with an English origin. It is believed to have been derived from the Old English word "laverock" which means "lark". The "lark" is a type of bird known for its melodious song, often associated with happiness, hope, and the dawn of a new day. Therefore, the surname Larkens is usually interpreted metaphorically to connote joy, optimism, and dawn or beginning. Over time, it may have evolved through different spellings and iterations, reflecting the changes in language and culture. Furthermore, the surname Larkens could also be categorized under the patronymic or baptismal names where the original bearer of the name was identified as "the son of Larkin". It's important to note that surnames often serve as a historical or geographical marker, tracing the lineage, profession, or location of a particular family line. However, the meaning of a surname can vary due to regional differences and translations, so it may also have other interpretations.

Larkens: Where does the name Larkens come from?

The surname Larkens is of English origins. It is said to have derived from the medieval given name "Lawrence" or "Laurence", as a diminutive form. These names are believed to have come from Roman roots. The original name, Laurentius, was given to those from Laurentium, an ancient Roman city. The surname form has been influenced by English’s patronymic tradition that commonly adds 's' or ‘son’ at the end of a name, thus modifying Laurentius to Larkens.

Though it is not a particularly common surname, the majority of the people with the surname Larkens present today can be found in the United States. In addition to the United States, the surname has a substantial presence in England, which can be attributed to its English origins. Other regions that have a smaller percentage of people with the Larkens surname include Australia, Canada, South Africa, and New Zealand. However, its presence compared to other popular surnames is significantly lower, making it quite unique.

Variations of the surname Larkens

The surname Larkens is believed to have its roots in England and is possibly related to the surname Larkin, which is thought to have nick-name origin, deriving from the medieval English given name "Larkin". This name, in turn, is diminutive of Lawrence or Laurence, from the Latin, Laurentius.

There are several variants and spellings of the name Larkens, stemming from both phonetic spellings and regional differences. These variations can include Larkins, Larken, Larckens, Larkings, and Larkinson.

Variants may even extend as far as Laking, Larking, and Larrkins due to the historical shifts in pronunciation and writing practices over time. The use of double letters, exchange of vowel and consonant places, and adding or removing ‘s’ were common practices.

In some cases, these names can be found as a patronymic form (meaning "son of Larkin"), offering further variations such as Larkinson and Larconson.

As with many surnames, the spelling can also change due to immigration and translation into other languages. For example, in countries where "k" is not commonly used, the name may adhere to local spelling conventions and become Larjens or Largens.

However, it’s important to remember that surnames can change over time for many reasons, and these are just potential variations of the root name Larkens.

Famous people with the name Larkens

• Dean Larkens: former Major League Baseball player for the San Diego Padres.
• Ernest Larkens: missionary and Christian worker who labored in East Africa in the 1890s and early 1900s
• Harrison Larkens: MLB outfielder from the early 1900s
• Jonathan Larkens: American former professional soccer player
• Charnell Larkens: professional Basketball player with the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA
• Ken Larkens: NFL defensive end from the 1950s and '60s
• Courtney Larkens: professional surfer from Southern California
• Maria Larkens: American silver medalist fencer from the 1984 Olympics
• Vivian Larkens: award-winning novelist and short story writer
• Jackie Larkens: voice actress on TV shows including Arthur, Young Justice, and Ben 10

Other surnames

Larken