Surname Behnkens - Meaning and Origin

Behnkens: What does the surname Behnkens mean?

The last name Behnkens is of German origin, derived from the German words 'bein' meaning 'bone' and 'ken' meaning 'to know'. As such, it can be translated as 'those who know bones'. This could be referencing those skilled in a medical field—such as bone surgeons—or, more likely, to a profession or hobby that involves working closely with bones and understanding them in detail, like a taxidermist.

The name Behnkens might also refer to someone who deals with legal matters in a court of law. This interpretation comes from the literal meaning of the name, as a person who knows and works with the law—known in German as 'Gesetzeskenntnis'—can be translated as someone who 'knows bones'.

Behnkens has historically been a rural family name and its present-day variation—Behnken—is most commonly found in northwestern Germany. It's likely that the first Behnken immigrants to the United States had similar occupations to those that gave rise to the surname.

It's also possible that the original meaning of the name has softened over time and Behnkens is simply now a traditional family name passed down from generation to generation for hundreds of years, associated with a proud German heritage. This is demonstrated in the numerous variations of the name found across the globe, such as Bennkens, Beinker, Binken, Binkins, Benkens, and Benikens, among others.

Behnkens: Where does the name Behnkens come from?

The last name Behnkens is most common in the northern and eastern parts of Europe, especially in Germany and the Netherlands. It appears to have originated in the area of Mecklenburg, Germany, where it is still found today.

The earliest records of the name Behnkens are in Germany, where it appeared in the 15th century. During this time, the name was derived from "benk," an old German word for bench. It means "someone who sits on a bench or council." Over the centuries, its popularity grew, and by 1700, it had spread northwards and eastwards to Schleswig-Holstein, Denmark, and the Netherlands.

Behnkens is also present in the United States, mainly in the Midwest and along the East Coast. The first generation of American Behnken families likely arrived in the mid-1800s, as a result of the 19th-century waves of emigration from Germany. It is also found in some Latin American countries, like Brazil, as a result of German and Dutch migration to the region.

Today, the largest concentration of people with the last name Behnkens is in Germany. It is particularly common in the Northern part of the country, in Hamburg, Schleswig-Holstein, and lower Saxony. In the Netherlands, there is a much smaller concentration, with most people living in the provinces of Groningen, South Holland, Friesland, and Drenthe. In the United States, Behnkens is most common in Massachusetts, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania.

Variations of the surname Behnkens

The surname Behnkens is a variant of the German name Bencken. It is derived from the Middle High German "benke" which means "court of justice" or "tribunal". As a result, the surname literally means "one who presides at the court". It is also known to have Dutch origin, a variant spelling being Behnken.

The variants of the Behnkens surname include: Bencken, Bemken, Benkendorf, Benke, Benkener, Benckenman, Beinkin, Beuncke, Benkens, Bienken, Bemken, Bienking, Benckenburg and Beckens.

Surnames of a similar origin and spelling have also been derived from the Behnkens family name. These include Benck, Benkemper, Benkin, Benkendorf, Benker, Benckel, Benkemann, Benkendorff, Benkewitz, Benkon, Benkert, Benky and Benkendorf.

The name can be further attributed to several spelling variants amongst which can be found Benekes, Benkosis, Bonkous, Bunke, Buneken, Binken and Bencendorf. Other similar surnames include Binckels, Binkers, Binkhorst, Binchou, Bonck, Bunkers, Bunckholz, Bunkert and Boubecks.

In summary, the surname Behnkens has been derived from the Middle High German term ‘benke’. It derives from the Dutch and German language and has several variants as well as surnames of a similar origin or spelling.

Famous people with the name Behnkens

• Michael Behnken: American astronaut who flew on two missions to the International Space Station.
• Erich Behnken: German doctor who contributed to the formation of the Nazi Party.
• Bo Behnken: American musician and producer.
• Lois Behnken: American jazz vocalist.
• Carl Behnken: American politician who served as a member of the Wisconsin State Legislature.
• Henry Behnken: German mathematician and philosopher in the late 18th century.
• Jan Behnken: Dutch author and literary critic.
• Susan Behnken: American social psychologist.
• Paul Behnken: American physicist and experimental airline designer.
• Steven Behnken: American football player in the 1990s.

Other surnames

BehnkeBehnken