Surname Tikkanen - Meaning and Origin
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Tikkanen: What does the surname Tikkanen mean?
The last name Tikkannen is a Finnish surname meaning “tiger tooth”. It is believed to have originated from the Scandinavian term “tikilla” which literally translates to “tiger tooth”. This origin suggests that the original bearer of the surname likely had a physical feature – such as a prominent tooth – resembling that of a tiger.
The Tikkannen surname is found all over Finland but is most commonly found in the province of Varsinais-Suomi. There are more than 350 variants of the name now, including Tikkannenen, Tikannen and Tikkane.
Historically, Tikkannen would have been a proud and independent family name, likely described as strong-minded and ambitious. In the 16th and 17th centuries, many of these families built their own farming communities and settlements.
Tikkannen today is carried on by many renowned artists, athletes and public figures in Finland. It is also possible to trace several famous members of the Tikkannen families. One particularly noteworthy example is the renowned Finnish footballer, Joonas Tikkannen, who has represented Volvo and had national success in the sport.
Although the details of the family’s history remain largely unknown, the vivid imagery of the tiger clearly remains. The name Tikkannen is still seen as embodying rugged strength and hidden power today, making it one of the most notable surnames in Finland.
Order DNA origin analysisTikkanen: Where does the name Tikkanen come from?
The last name Tikkanen is commonly found in Finland. This surname is derived from the Finnish word for "branching out". In Finland, the surname is most commonly spelled Tikkanen, although there are variations in spelling such as Tikander, Tikander-Hedman, and Tikkander.
The surname is most commonly found in southern regions of Finland, such as the provinces of Uusimaa and Varsinais-Suomi. In the province of Uusimaa, approximately 8,000 people with the last name Tikkanen make up 1% of the population. In Varsinais-Suomi, the number is slightly higher, with an estimated 8,500 people with the surname, which accounts for 1.2% of the population.
The surname is also found in other Scandinavian countries, with an estimated 1,900 people in Sweden, 1,400 in Norway, and 200 in Denmark. Smaller numbers with the last name Tikkanen can be found in Germany, Estonia, Russia, and the United States.
In the United States, the estimated number of individuals with the last name Tikkanen is approximately 780. It is most commonly found in California, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, New York, and Oregon. Other countries around the world with individuals with the last name Tikkanen include Croatia, Brazil, and Australia.
Overall, the Tikkanen surname is most commonly found in Finland, with smaller pockets of the surname found in other countries around the world.
Variations of the surname Tikkanen
The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Tikkanen are:
Tikkänen, Tikkala, Tikkamäki, Tikkala, Tiikkanen, Tiippana, Tikkinen, Tihtanen, Tiikkainen, Tiika, Tikaniemi, Tikka, Tikanoja, Teikari, Tedesco, Teikki, Teikkanen, Taikke, Taikkonen, Tainio, Täinio, and Tanke.
The surname Tikkanen originates from the Finnish word "tikka," which means a stick or baton. The earliest record of the surname dates back to around 1600 in Europe, when it was used in Finland to refer to a military commander. There is also a village called Tiikkälä that dates back to at least 1627, which likely gave rise to the surnames Tiikkänen, Tikkamäki, Tikkala, and others.
Tikkanen is most common in Finland, Estonia, and Sweden, and it is also present in other countries, such as Canada and the United States. In the United States, it is mostly concentrated in Kentucky, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania, although it can be found in other parts of the country as well. In Canada, it is most commonly found in Ontario.
It is interesting to note that several variants of the surname, such as Tedesco and Teikki, are derived from other languages such as Italian and German, which is evidence of the migration of the surname through Europe over time.
Famous people with the name Tikkanen
- Jari Tikkannen: Former professional ice hockey player from Finland who played in the NHL from 1984 to 2002, winning four Stanley Cups.
- Tony Tikkannen: Finnish film actor, who has appeared in films such as “V for Vendetta” and “I Am Legend.”
- Kari Tikkannen: Finnish radio and television presenter, most known for his work on the popular program called “Superstar”.
- Markku Tikkannen: Finnish documentary filmmaker who won an Academy Award for his 1969 documentary, “This is Finland.”
- Lauri Tikkannen: Finnish Olympic ice hockey player who won the bronze medal in 1992 and 1994.
- Jouko Tikkannen: Retired professional alternative rock band drummer from Finland, most known for his work with “Kemuri”.
- Juha Tikkannen: Professional photographer from Finland, known for his work in magazines such as National Geographic and Life.
- Tapio Tikkannen: Finnish former military commander who became the country’s chief of Defence in 2003.
- Jarmo Tikkannen: Finnish professional wrestler and MMA fighter, who competed in the 2005 PRIDE Fighting Championships.