Surname Woten - Meaning and Origin
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Woten: What does the surname Woten mean?
The last name Woten is of Germanic origin, derived from the Old High German word Wage meaning “forest” combined with Don, meaning “mountain”. In modern German, wagen means to wager or gamble, but the name most likely originally referred to a person who lived in a forested area near a mountain.
The surname Woten may have been given to a person whose house was located near a particular mountain, or to a person who had a particularly close relationship with nature and enjoyed spending time in forests and near mountains. Alternatively, it may have served as a sign of respect for the local god of the mountain, Wotan, from whence the name derived.
The popularity of the surname peaked during the middle of the 19th century, when many Germans emigrated to the United States in search of better economic opportunities. The surname can be found scattered across the country, spelling variations including Wooten, Wooton, Watton, Wotton, and Waxton.
The Woten surname is a reminder of an important part of German heritage. It’s also a dramatic reminder of the strength and courage of those who adopted a new name and made a new life in an unfamiliar country.
Order DNA origin analysisWoten: Where does the name Woten come from?
The last name Woten is believed to have originated in the low countries and historically common in Germany. Today, the last name Woten is found in many countries across the world, but is most frequently found in the United States, Canada, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.
In the United States, the top states for Woten residents are California and Washington. Other US states with a significant population of Woten are Massachusetts, Illinois, and Texas. According to the 2020 United States census, there are more than 6,000 Americans with the last name Woten.
The last name Woten is also common in Canada, with the majority of occurrences in Ontario, Nova Scotia, and Quebec. In addition, other countries that possess lighter populations include Australia, New Zealand, France, Finland, Norway, Denmark, South Africa, and Argentina.
The Woten surname is derived from the old German name Wotan, which was the name of the scholars’ version of the pagan god of war, Odin. Early mentions of the surname are observed in medieval documents, such as charters and land registry records. The original spelling was Wothen, but the current spelling, Woten, is believed to be the one most widely used today.
Variations of the surname Woten
The surname Woten is an alternate spelling of the Old Germanic name Woden, a variation of the Proto-Germanic name *Wōðanaz. Woden was the ancient Anglo-Saxon deity of wisdom, poetry, war, and the dead, and it is likely that this surname originated as a reference to him.
The variants of Woten include Wodan, Woden, Wodden, Wodann, Woeten, and Wouten. Spelling-wise, similar surnames include Wadden, Waden, Waddan, Waden, Wadon, Wordon, and Wadine.
Alternate surnames derived from Woden, or Odin, are derived from the various Germanic and Scandinavian languages such as Wotensson (German/Scandinavian), Wothen (Dutch) and Wottinger (Swiss German). Other related surnames include Wauden, Wodin, Wedin, Wadensjö, Wedderkop, Wattenburg, and Wadsworth.
In the United States, Woten is a rare surname with fewer than 100 persons bearing it as of the 2000 US Census. The state with the most occurrences of the surname were Oklahoma with 9. The Woten family can be traced back to the early 17th century in Devon, England. After emigrating to the United States, the name spread throughout the Midwest, particularly in Indiana and Ohio. Two branches of the Woten family have been traced to Greenbrier and Monroe Counties in West Virginia, and to Coles County, Illinois. The Wotens continue to play a prominent role in America today.
Famous people with the name Woten
- John Woten: artist and advocate for the freedom to create art without government interference
- Mary Woten: American animator and director
- Markus Woten: German novelist and playwright
- Frank Woten: American poet
- Louis Woten: American singer-songwriter
- Lucy Woten: American journalist and author
- Gus Woten: American football player
- Emily Woten: American actress
- Jacob Woten: American writer and director
- Harry Woten: British soldier