Surname Döhn - Meaning and Origin
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Döhn: What does the surname Döhn mean?
The last name Döhn is of German origin and has been used in multiple countries in Europe for centuries. It is derived from the German word “döhnen” meaning “to tantalize” or “to tantalizingly teasing someone.” This surname is most commonly found in Germany, the Netherlands, and Scandinavia.
The earliest usage of the Döhn surname was found in France and appears to date back to the mid-1400s. It is likely that the family bearing this name was of French origin and eventually migrated into other parts of Europe. It is helping us to trace this particular family’s lineage across centuries and across multiple countries.
The meaning of the Döhn surname does seem to have had an influence on the character of those who bear it. Those named Döhn have a tendency to be independent and to approach tasks with an air of playful mischief. They usually enjoy solving puzzles and working out interesting problems.
It is certainly a unique and interesting name, with a rich history and interesting meaning. Although the exact origin of the Döhn surname is unknown, it is clear that the original holders of the name were a mischievous, yet clever and independent-minded people.
Order DNA origin analysisDöhn: Where does the name Döhn come from?
The last name Döhn is mainly found in Germany and Austria, although there are also individuals bearing the name in Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Croatia, and even in the United States. It is most common in the German states of Bavaria and Saxony-Anhalt, where many records of its use can be found dating back to the 15th century.
The literal meaning of the name can be traced back to the Germanic word "”don," which means ”dawn," and the suffix "-heim," meaning "home." This makes the name’s approximate meaning "home of dawn." It suggests that individuals bearing the name Döhn might have been farmers and or herdsmen, with a tendency that their dwelling is located in an area that is particularly hilly or the ridge of a mountain, since such locations are known for their beautiful sunrises.
Emigration during the 20th century has also led to the spread of the name, with a vast majority of the occurances being found in the United States, Canada, and Australia.
People bearing the name Döhn can be found in virtually any profession, although the name is particularly concentrated among members of the agricultural and shepherd industries. Additionally, the name has been passed down through generations, making it especially common among certain families in Germany and Austria.
Variations of the surname Döhn
The surname Döhn is a common German surname, derived from the medieval German given name "Dohain". This name has many different variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin.
The most common variants of the name Döhn include Döen, Döhne, Dohner, Doner, Donner, Dohr, Doehner, Dohring, Dohrn, Dohrnau, Dohry, Dorough, Doerring, Doeringer, Doernberg and Dörenberg. It is also occasionally seen as Dölling or Dolling.
The most common surnames of the same origin include Dohm, Dohme, Don, Donnermeyer, Donais, Donohue, Doheny, Doughty, Doughman, Doher, Donaher, Duhern, DeLaere, Dehler, Doniger and several more.
Variant spellings of the name include Dehn, Dehnen, Dehne, Dehning, Dehr, Dehrn,Dehrnau, Dehry, Delders, Dehling, Dellings, Delings and Dolles. These variants are used in several countries, most notably Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
In some cases, the name Döhn is used as a given name, in particular in Belgium. In this case it is often spelt with other vowels, such as Doan.
Overall, the surname Döhn is a very old and common name, with many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. It is present in several countries and continues to be used today.
Famous people with the name Döhn
- Bärbel Döhn: German politician and Minister of Education for the state of Mecklenburg-West Pomerania.
- Hans-Georg Döhn: German professor and prominent figure in the field of environmental protection.
- Christian Döhn: German diplomat and former counsellor for the German Embassy to Estonia.
- Heinrich Döhn: German architect and builder in the historicist style from the late 19th century.
- Kunigunde Döhn: German actor known for her lead roles in the theatre productions of Rheinberger and Wagner.
- Erich Döhn: German Wehrmacht officer and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross for his leadership during the Battle of Stalingrad.
- Johann Döhn: German entrepreneur known for being the co-founder of Schlossberg, a mineral water company.
- Detlev von Döhn: German flying ace of the Luftwaffe during the Second World War and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.
- Jörg-Thomas Döhn: German actor, singer, and director in theatre, film, and television.
- Lydia Döhn: German actress and director who is best known for her roles in various films and television series.