Surname Westen - Meaning and Origin
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Westen: What does the surname Westen mean?
The last name Westen is of uncertain origin. It is most likely German and Dutch, used as a topographic name for someone who lived in a westerly direction or was from a place located in the west. The name is derived from the Middle High German words “west” and “ingen” which denotes a man from the west.
In some cases, the name has an Anglo-Saxon origin and can be found in the Old English tribes prior to the Norman Conquest. It is derived from the Middle English word “weste” and was originally used as an occupational name for a maker of woolen clothing.
The Westen surname is most commonly found in England and Germany. It can also be found in other countries that were part of the British Empire, such as Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
In modern times, the Westen surname is still a common name. People who carry the name often have a strong sense of patriotism, loyalty, a good work ethic, and have a family-oriented attitude. They are also usually humble, hardworking, and driven. Westens have a strong family bond and often take pride in their roots, as well as their success.
Order DNA origin analysisWesten: Where does the name Westen come from?
The last name Westen is relatively common today, primarily in the western United States of America. It is most strongly concentrated in the states of Montana and Wyoming, where 1 in 842 and 1 in 623 people respectively showcase the surname.
Beyond this area, it is most common in the Midwest and South. There is a significant presence in North Dakota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.
The last name is also very prominent in the Netherlands, Australia, and Germany. Dutch immigrants that left the Netherlands in the mid-1800s brought the name with them, and it eventually reached the United States through the flow of immigration. The same is true for Australia and Germany, although the numbers are much smaller for each of these countries.
Interestingly, the surname Westen is also found in Norway, yet the frequency is much lower, with only 1 in 6,00o people having this surname. This is curious since it seems that the name originated in Europe before migrating to the United States, yet it does not show the same levels of prevalence in this region.
In conclusion, the last name Westen is most common in Western United States, with further concentrations in the Midwest, South, Netherlands, Australia, and Germany. It is speculated that the origins of the name is Europe, although this is not borne out by the data.
Variations of the surname Westen
The surname Westen is an ancient Anglo-Saxon name that has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The original spelling of the surname was "Westenne," which was a name given to a person who lived near a westerly point of reference. Over the centuries, the name has evolved to include other spelling variations such as Westan, Westin, Weste, and Wester.
Weston and Westen are also closely related surnames and some instances of the name can be traced back to England in the 17th century, where the Westan family of Yorkshire was prominent. In Scotland, the surname Wester was sometimes used as a variant of Westen.
The surnames Westington, Wesson, and Weston are also closely related. Westington is derived from the Old English for ‘the dweller at the west setlment’. Wesson is a name that has been linked to the Westens in both England and Scotland, and is derived from the Old English for "son of Westen".
Other variant spellings and surnames that have the same origin include Westgate, Westcott, Westfold, Westward, and Westerman. The Westgate surname is derived from the Old English topographical term for a westerly road, while the Westcott is derived from the Old English for ‘western cottage’. Westward is an English name that has evolved from the phrase "Going Westward". And the Westerman surname is derived from an Old English phrase meaning ‘the west-man’.
Famous people with the name Westen
- Kanye West: Grammy Award-winning rapper and fashion designer
- Kim Kardashian West: reality television personality
- Kris Jenner: television personality
- Rob Kardashian: television personality and former competitive cyclist
- Khloé Kardashian: television personality
- Kourtney Kardashian: television personality
- Caitlyn Jenner: television personality and former Olympic athlete
- Kendall Jenner: supermodel
- Kylie Jenner: media personality and entrepreneur
- Noah West: actor and film producer
- Margot Robbie: actress
- Madelaine West: actress
- Jesse Spencer: actor
- Jeffrey Westen: American actor and writer
- Traci Lords: actress
- Christopher Westen: director and production designer
- Vera Westen: Swiss silent film actress
- Adam West: actor best known for portraying Batman
- Mark Westen: American scientist
- Alex Westen: American creative director and producer