Surname Finken - Meaning and Origin
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Finken: What does the surname Finken mean?
The origin and meaning of the last name Finken is German. The literal translation of 'Finken' is 'finches', a type of small seed-eating bird.
The name Finken was most likely used as a nickname for someone having some type of desired quality related to this type of bird or its meaning. Finches are known for their small stature and boldness, so someone with those qualities may have been labeled with the last name Finken. Another theory states that the name was derived from the Old German 'vinken', which means 'to beckon'.
Although it is difficult to determine the exact origin, Finken was an occupational name for one who tended finches or one who worked as a falconer. In some cases, it may have been used as a topographic name to refer to a place where finches were found.
Today, the name Finken is still used in Germany, as well as the Netherlands, Belgium, and parts of Scandinavia. There are an estimated 6,000 individuals with this surname living in the United States.
Order DNA origin analysisFinken: Where does the name Finken come from?
The last name Finken is most commonly found in the United States today. According to the 2020 US Census, it was the 2,385th most common surname in the United States. However, the family name dates back to the 1600s and is believed to be of Germanic origin.
The earliest records of the Finken surname stem from North America, where they initially landed in Pennsylvania in the 1700s. Some of the earliest settlers of this family name were individuals such as Anna Mary Finken (1726-1803), Adam Finken (1745-1785), and Catharine Finken (1759-1804). These individuals are believed to have arrived from Germany in the late 1700s and settled in Berks, Lancaster, and York counties in Pennsylvania.
In the 20th century, records indicate that the Finken family had migrated to several other states including Virginia, North Carolina, Texas, Illinois, and more. Several branches of the family tree can be traced back to these various states, suggesting that the family scattered after its initial settlement in Pennsylvania.
Today, the Finken surname is perhaps most commonly associated with the small town of Finksburg, Maryland. The town was initially established in the mid-19h century by settlers of the Finken family name. It is primarily an agricultural community and is noted for its many events, parks, and farms.
The Finken surname remains relatively popular around the United States today, particularly along the east coast, although its history stretches far and wide.
Variations of the surname Finken
Finken is a surname of German origin. It is derived from the German word 'fink', meaning 'finch'. Alternate spellings and variants of Finken include Fink, Fenken, Finke, Fincke, Finkle, Finkl, and Finkler.
Outside of Germany, Finken has spread to other countries mainly due to the migration of German people in the past centuries. In the United States, Finken and various alternate spellings are quite common, especially in those areas of the nation that were initially settled by individuals of German heritage. In Canada, the Finken surname is found mainly in the provinces of Ontario and Alberta.
Variants of the surname Finken can also be found in other countries. These include Finland (Finkén), Norway (Fincken), France (Fincks), and Italy (Fincon). In Austria and the Czech Republic, the surname is spelled Finkenauer and Finkener, respectively.
The surname is also found in the Netherlands, predominantly in Northern provinces, and is spelled Finkenooijer. Other Dutch variants include Finkenoord, Finkenhoek, and Finkengeer.
Overall, Finken is a widespread surname with a German origin. Its many variants and spellings allow it to be found in various countries and cultures around the world.
Famous people with the name Finken
- Miranda Finken, professional ice dancer
- Johann Finken, Afrikaans poet
- Kurt Finken, American Jazz saxophonist
- Ingo Finken, German physiotherapist
- Otto Finken, German botanist
- Klaus Finken, German theologian
- Fabian Finken, German artist
- Bernhard Finken, German psychologist
- Joachim Finken, German neurologist
- Michael Finken, German photographer & filmmaker
- Christian Finken, German pianist & music director
- Tim Finken, German basketball player
- Brigitte Finken, Austrian singer & actress
- Wilhelm Finken, German chemist
- Christopher Finken, American dancer & choreographer
- Friedbert Finken, German historian
- Wilfred Finken, German physicist
- Bernd Finken, German architect
- Marc Finken, German judge
- Ryon Finken, American songwriter & musician