Surname Hanken - Meaning and Origin
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Hanken: What does the surname Hanken mean?
The last name Hanken, also spelled Hanchen, is of German origin and is an occupational name. The name Hanken is derived from 'hanke', meaning 'a hook', and was used for people who made hooks, as a reference to their occupation. It could also have been used for people with a hooked nose.
The earliest recorded variations of the name Hanken can be found in certain areas of Germany during the early part of the 17th century. It has since spread throughout the world and can be found in the US, Canada, Australia, and many other countries. The surname is particularly common in the United States, where it is estimated to be the 486th most common last name.
Today, Hanken is not a surname that is often found in modern German culture. It is associated with a simpler time in Germany and the kind of occupation that has largely faded into history. Despite this, it is still a popular surname in a few areas and the meaning of its origin still has resonance. The name Hanken is a reminder of the humble beginnings of Germany and the hardworking people who have been a part of its history for centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisHanken: Where does the name Hanken come from?
The Hanken surname is most common today in Scandinavia, particularly in Finland. The Hanken family can trace its roots to medieval times in Finland when the first known Hanken was born in the 1500s.
The family was likely descended from early Viking settlers, and the name is considered to have had a military origin, derived from the Old Norse words hanki which means ‘hook’ and hörhö which means ‘axe’.
The Hanken family spread right across Finland over the centuries, and today there are many Hankens, particularly in the Lapland region and the northern reaches of the country.
Hankens can also be found further afield. Emigration from Finland in the 20th century brought Hankens to countries including Estonia, Sweden, Norway, the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States.
In the United States, Hankens live in every state, although the name remains relatively rare in the country as a whole. People with this surname can still trace their roots back to Finland.
Many Hankens living in the U.S. come from American-Finnish communities in Minnesota, Michigan, Oregon, and New England. These communities were originally populated by Finnish migrants who moved to the U.S. in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Variations of the surname Hanken
The surnames Hanken, Haanen, Hachen, Hacke, and Haken are all variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The surname Hanken is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word, "hanc" which means "bone" and the Middle High German word "henc" which means "to ache". The variants Haanen, Hachen, Hacke, and Haken are derived from the Middle High German words "hahan" and "hahho" both meaning "rooster" and "chicken" respectively.
The Hanken surname originated in Germany during the Middle Ages, when a person was identified by their occupation, characteristics, or personal traits. Accordingly, the Hanken surname often denoted one who was a gifted and skilled craftsmen. Additionally, the Hanken surname could denote a cruel, cunning, and mischievous person as well as someone who suffered from physical ailments or pain.
There are many variations of the Hanken surname. Variations of Hanken can be found in Germany, the Netherlands, and other German-speaking countries, as well as the United States and other countries that received immigrants with the Hanken surname. Variations of the Hanken surname include Hecker, Heuchen, Hanke, Hencke, Hacken, Hahken, Haanen, Hachen, Hacke, and Haken.
The Hanken surname is found throughout the world today. It is especially prevalent in Germany and the Netherlands, but it is also found in the United States of America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and other countries. People with the Hanken surname may belong to many different ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
Famous people with the name Hanken
- August von Hanken (1822-1905), German Protestant theologian
- Hans Christian von Hanken (1853-1932), Danish explorer
- Anton Matelief Hanken (1887-1964), Dutch poet
- John Hanken (born 1949), American former basketball player
- Aslaug Marie Christiansen Hanken (1895-1979), Norwegian actress
- Elisabeth von Hanken (1880-1954), German actress
- Friedrich von Hanken (1811-1844), German jurist
- Jens Deckert von Hanken (1848-1905), Danish historiologist
- Julius Emmrich von Hanken (1808-1881), Prussian jurist
- Stephan von Hanken (1901-1981), Swedish chemist