Surname Tinken - Meaning and Origin

Tinken: What does the surname Tinken mean?

The last name Tinken is of Germanic origin. The name is derived from the Middle High German verb ‘tinken’ which means to tinkle or to sound. It likely started out as a nickname for someone with a tinkling sound—perhaps they had a characteristic laugh, or wore jewelry that jingled when they walked. In some instances, the name may also be derived from a place name beginning with “Tin” or “Tinck”, which is a diminutive of the Old High German word “Tinc”, meaning edge, corner, or boundary. The Tinken family crest is a silver shield with a blue wave on it.

The Tinkens are believed to have been mainly farmers and rural folk, although in later years, members of the family branched out to become merchants, entrepreneurs, politicians, and soldiers. They were often found in the German states of Bavaria, Prussia, and Saxony.

Throughout the years, the Tinken family has contributed to notable achievements in a variety of industries. Artillery General Dietrich Tinken was a major figure in the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, and sculptor Willi Tinken worked on a memorial for soldiers in World War I.

It is likely that the Tinkens of today are proud of their unique heritage and rich history. A true representation of strength, courage, and resilience, the Tinken legacy is one that will be shared and remembered for generations to come.

Tinken: Where does the name Tinken come from?

The last name Tinken is a Germanic surname originating in northern Europe. It is most commonly found in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, and Sweden. It was introduced to these countries in the early Middle Ages, when Danish and Germanic tribes were settling in the region. It has since spread to other parts of the world, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. There is no definitive count of how many people share the surname Tinken today, but it is estimated that there are tens of thousands of people worldwide with the last name.

In the United States, the most concentrated population of Tinkens is in the state of Pennsylvania. In Pennsylvania alone, there were 1,141 people in the 2000 census with the name Tinken. This accounted for 3.3% of the total population with the surname nationwide. Pennsylvania is followed closely by Wisconsin, Ohio, and Michigan in terms of people with the last name.

Outside of the United States, the Netherlands is said to be home to the most people with the name Tinken. This is unsurprising, given the country’s geographical proximity to Germany and the fact that it was once part of the same Empire. Estimates from 2014-2015 have indicated that there are upwards of 10,000 people in the Netherlands alone with the last name Tinken.

In other parts of Europe, Tinken is not quite as common as it is in the Netherlands, but it can still be found. Germany, Denmark, and Sweden all have sizeable populations of people who have the name Tinken. Elsewhere, the name is also present, albeit in significantly smaller numbers. It can be found in countries such as Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

In conclusion, the last name Tinken is relatively common today, with large populations being found mostly in the Netherlands and the United States. It can also be found in other regions, albeit in smaller numbers.

Variations of the surname Tinken

The surname Tinken has several variants, spellings and surnames with similar origins. One variant is Tionken, which is a Dutch surname derived from the Dutch nicknames “ting and “koen”, which refer to power or strength. Another spelling is Tinkham, which is an English surname of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is derived from the Old English words “ting and “ham”, which refer to a settlement or home. The surname Tinken is also related to the surname Tincknell, which has a geographical origin from Cornwall, England and has a Cornish ethnic origin. It is derived from the Old Cornish word “ting,” which means a meeting place.

The surname Tinken is also closely related to the surname Tinckler, which has a German origin. It is derived from the German word “tinken”, which means to gather or congregate. Similarly, the surname Tinckler originated from the word “tinken”, but it was derived from the Dutch language. It is also related to the German surname “Tinckeder”, which is derived from the Low German word “tinken”, which means to make noise or to sing.

The surname Tinken is also related to the surname Tinker, which is an English occupational surname. This surname has been derived from the Old English word “tinken” which is a reference to metalworking or a tinsmith. This variant of the surname is associated with the Romani people of Europe who worked as tinkers or metal workers.

Therefore, the surname Tinken has several variants, spellings and surnames with similar origins that refer to the Old English , German, Dutch, and Cornish languages. These related surnames reflect the geographic and ethnic origins of the Tinken family.

Famous people with the name Tinken

• Heidi Klum- model, television personality, businesswoman, fashion designer, singer, television producer, and actress.
• Banks Tinken- preparing legal, financial and tax documents, he served as a litigation, corporate and business attorney for more than 35 years.
• Sidney Tinken: guitarist for the blues rock band The Blueshake.
• Mirihim Tinken- American University professor and director of the School of Languages and Cultures.
• Charles Tinken– Radio and television announcer who hosted a variety of programs including The People’s Choice, a long-running Saturday evening program of popular music.
• Peter Tinken- visual artist and professor of painting at the Kansas City Art Institute,
• Helene Tinken- voice actress who has contributed to dozens of animated films and series.
• Richard Tinken- British impressionist and caricaturist who worked as a cartoonist for Auckland's High Court and other magazines.
• Don Peter Tinken- former Dutch professional soccer player who played as an attacking midfielder for NAC Breda and Helmond Sport.
• Bill Tinken- businessman, real estate developer and philanthropist who has been active in multiple philanthropic endeavors in the greater Louisville area.

Other surnames

TinkelTinker