Surname Schaken - Meaning and Origin

Schaken: What does the surname Schaken mean?

The last name Schaken is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word "scechen" and the Old High German word "scachen", both of which mean "to play chess". This name is a descriptive name, referring to someone who was skilled at playing the game of chess. In the early medieval times in Germany, chess was a popular pastime among the aristocracy, and one would gain a reputation as a master chess player if they were considered to have exceptional skill in the game.

The surname Schaken was especially common in the Rhineland region of Germany, which is where it is believed to have originated. From there, it spread throughout other parts of the country and is now common in most German states. It has also been adopted by other populations, particularly those who trace their ancestries back to German immigrants.

People who bear the surname Schaken are often associated with intelligence, strategy, and problem-solving. It is thought that those who share this surname have a strong sense of order and like to plan out details and make logical decisions.

Schaken: Where does the name Schaken come from?

The last name Schaken is most commonly found in several countries in Europe (most notably in Holland and Germany) as well as in the United States. In Europe, the prevalence of the Schaken name is strongest in The Netherlands, where the Schaken name is derived from a variant of the Schakel family, who were believed to have migrated to the region from the Rhineland of Germany in the late 16th century. In Germany, the Schaken surname is most common in the western and northern parts of the country.

In the United States, the Schaken last name is not as widespread as it is in Europe. According to the US Census Bureau, the surname Schaken is mainly concentrated in the states of Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Illinois, with smaller numbers reported in New York, California, and Texas. Estimates suggest that the combined total population of people with the Schaken last name in the United States is around 649.

It is speculated that many people with the Schaken last name have German and Dutch ancestry, although this cannot be conclusively confirmed. Regardless of their origin, the Schaken name is still prevalent in numerous countries today.

Variations of the surname Schaken

The surname Schaken, pronounced “Shack-en”, is of Dutch descent and comes from the Middle Dutch word ‘schak’ which means ‘shield’ or ‘shield beater’. It could have several spellings and variants, including Schocken, Schokin, Schakenbosch, Schoch, Shake, Shaken, Schaack, Schakke, Shacklee, Shaklee, Schkoune, Shackelford, Shackle, Shackley, Shackleford, Shackleton, Shacklett, Shakeshaft, Shakesheff, Shtekhini, Shtekhiny, Schakemann, Schackmann, Schackmüller, Schacke, Schäckel, Schäkkel, Schackemöller, Schäcken, Schäckenbach, Schöcken, and Shackenberger.

Alternately, Schaken is sometimes also spelled Schakenbosch which comes from a village of the same name in the former Dutch province of Gelderland. This variant typically had a meaning of 'from Schakenbosch', indicating a person that originated in the village mentioned.

The diminutive form of Schaken is Schkensen. Though less common, this is a widespread variant of Schaken, and is found primarily in Germany and Austria.

The variants and surnames of the same origin found in other German-speaking countries are Schaecher, Schaecherin, Schaecherle, Schaeffer, Schaefer, Schaefers, Schaefferlin, Schaeflein, Schaek, Schaeke, Schaekel, Schaekelle, Schaefferling, Schaers, Schaeser, Schaever, Schafer, Schalles, Schallin, Scharafinski, Scharff, Scharffin, Scharffscheer, Scharrol, Schatzel, Schatzlein, Schatz, Schatte, and Schauffeler.

In French, Schaken can have the variant Schaeken, and in Hungary there is a variant called Szécsi which is found in both Hungarian and Slovak regions. It is also seen as Szecsi, Secsi, Sekensi, Szenczy, Szenesi and Zencz.

Overall, the surname Schaken and its many variants could have been derived from a number of Germanic influences, including names for occupations and places of origin. It is still found as an active surname in various countries, often found in the form of spelling variations of Schaken.

Famous people with the name Schaken

• Arjen Schaken: Dutch international football (soccer) player.
• Frits Schaken: Dutch international chess Grandmaster.
• Johannes Schaken: Dutch writer and poet.
• Kristof Schaken: Belgian professional football (soccer) player.
• Wim Schaken: Dutch international tennis player.
• Erwin Schaken: Dutch professional cyclo-cross racer.
• Willem Schaken: Dutch cycling coach and team manager.
• Koen Schaken: Belgian professional football (soccer) goalkeeper.
• Remco Schaken: Dutch international football (soccer) player.
• Sebastiaan Schaken: Dutch professional football (soccer) midfielder.
• Jan Schaken: Dutch international chess Master.
• Sietske Schaken: Dutch Formula 3 driver.
• Jack Schaken: Dutch international hockey player.
• Wieger Schaken: Dutch elite cyclo-cross racer.
• Willem Schaken: Dutch informal leader of the Treaty of Amsterdam of 1798.

Other surnames

SchakelSchakinofsky