Surname Weiken - Meaning and Origin
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Weiken: What does the surname Weiken mean?
The last name Weiken is of Germanic origin meaning "watchman's enclosure". It is derived from the German noun Weikum, the name for a fenced-in area from which a guard could watch and take shelter.
The earliest recorded use of the name was in 1220, when a certain Konrad de Weikum was charged by Emperor Frederick II of Germany with the task of administer a court. Over the centuries, his descendants took this surname as their own.
The Weiken surname might have originally been a nickname for someone who worked as a watchman or guard, or perhaps a reference to the family's original house or castle. It could also have been a reference to a person who lived near such an enclosure.
Regardless of its origin, by the 1600s, Weiken was established as a common family name in Germany, with hundreds of people bearing the name in records throughout the country.
Today, the surname Weiken is not particularly common, at least in Germany, but it can still be found in countries where German settlers migrated, particularly in the United States. The surname is also widely found in Central and South America.
Order DNA origin analysisWeiken: Where does the name Weiken come from?
The last name Weiken is most commonly found in Germany today. The majority of people with this surname live in western and northern Germany, but also have a presence in Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands, and Denmark. It is one of the oldest surnames in Germany, possibly having originated as early as the 8th century.
In Germany, Weiken is thought to have been derived from the medieval personal names Wichman or Wigman, as well as the root word "wilk," which means war. Over time, the name has evolved from variations such as Weken, Weyken, Weycken and Weykenn.
This name is also relatively common in the United States, especially in Pennsylvania, where many German immigrants settled. It's also seen in other states such as New Jersey, Wisconsin, Texas and California.
In terms of occupation, many Weikens in the 19th century were farmers and butchers, while today they may be entrepreneurs, lawyers or other professionals. The Weiken family remains an important part of German culture and tradition, regardless of the geographical location.
Variations of the surname Weiken
Weiken is a surname of German origin. It is usually spelled as Weick, Wyck, Wyke, Wick, Wicken and Weiken.
The name can be derived from the Low German word ‘wick’, meaning ‘dwelling’, or from the Middle High German ‘wicke’, meaning ‘has the right authority’. As such, the name was most likely originally given to someone who had their own residence, or who held a high position in society.
Variations of the name can be seen in other languages. For example, the Dutch version is Wijckel, the Czech version is Vik, the Swedish version is Wik, and the Hungarian version is Vik.
Apart from this, there are a few other versions of the surname, including: Weyck, Wyckoff, Weyk, Wyecke, and Wyecks.
Weiken is also used as a first name in Netherlands, as well as a middle name in Denmark and the United States.
Overall, Weiken is an uncommon name, but from the same origin, there are various variants and spellings that may be encountered in different parts of the world.
Famous people with the name Weiken
- Fritjof Weiken: a famous Norwegian film director and Screenwriter.
- Jo Weiken: a French actor.
- Alf Viggo Weiken: a Norwegian radio presenter.
- Carina Weiken: a Norwegian Actress.
- John Weiken: a British artist and sculptor.
- Jens Weiken: a German tennis player.
- Maurey Weiken: an American Former NFL Player.
- Doc Weiken: an American jazz musician and arranger.
- Kjell Weiken: a Norwegian jazz drummer and composer.
- Einar Weiken: a Norwegian lawyer and politician.