Surname Duden - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'D'
Duden: What does the surname Duden mean?
The last name Duden is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word "dode" which means "mouth" or "ditch". This suggests that the original bearers of the last name were either someone who lived near a mouth or ditch or someone who was an especially good orator.
The Duden last name can be found in several parts of Europe and in some cases is as a variant of "Dieffen" or "Dieffenbacher". These were both names related to ditches and likely arose from the same source, although it is possible that the Duden surname has a different origin. It may be related to the German verb "dudeln" which means "to ramble".
The Duden surname is fairly common in Germany and the German speaking parts of Europe and there are several variants of the name throughout the German states. However, it has also spread to other parts of the world, notably to North America among German immigrants.
The Duden name is believed to have been adopted in the 11th century and is associated with several people throughout that era. Among them was a 19th century German lexicographer named Konrad Duden who is famous for the Duden Dictionary and was an important figure in the German language.
In summary, the last name Duden is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word "dode", meaning "mouth" or "ditch". Although it is common in Germany, it has been adopted elsewhere and is associated with many different figures in history.
Order DNA origin analysisDuden: Where does the name Duden come from?
The last name Duden is a German surname, common today primarily throughout Germany and other German-speaking countries such as Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. Beyond Central Europe, the name is also found scattered throughout various countries in North America, South America, and Europe. Duden's prevalence in Germany is highest in the northern states, especially in Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg.
The origin of the Duden surname is not definitively known, though there are various theories. One suggests that it is derived from Middle High German words meaning "dweller," while another suggests a link between the name and the boden family, meaning "earth dweller." Still another source posits that the name might have been derived from a Swiss animal or bird name.
Though there are several Duden's with varying professions and backgrounds, the most famous with the name is Franz Duden who was a German linguist and became the authority on German grammar, orthography, and style with his publication of the Duden Dictionary in 1928.
In terms of modern day usage, the name is most common today among German-speaking countries and is sometimes still used as a given name for children in Germany. It is relatively rare outside of these countries but is still found throughout Germany and the greater Germanic countries, having successfully endured with the Germanic civilization throughout the years.
Variations of the surname Duden
The surname Duden has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Duden can be spelled as Duden, Dudeen, Dooden, Doodin, Dueden, Dudan, and Duuden. It is also occasionally spelled with a terminal ‘s’ (e.g. Dudens). These variants can also appear as compound surnames, such as Von Duden, Dudenbach, Dudenbostel, Dudendorf, Dudensiek, and Dudenhausen.
The variants of Duden are of German origin and have many meanings, including a building where a common fund of provisions was kept in Germany during the Middle Ages and a kind of an old German tavern. The name is also derived from an old German word meaning “to make good”, indicating someone who was a diligent craftsmand.
The earliest known bearers of the Duden surname were found in records dating back to the 18th century, when the Duden brothers, Hermann and Johannes, were listed as farmers in Germanic lands in what is now the Netherlands.
In addition to the variants of Duden, the surname has been Anglicized and can also be found spellings such as Deden, Doeden, Dowden, and Doing.
The surname is known by many other surnames of similar origin or different spellings, such as Deeton, Diutin, Tuuntz, and Donan. Lastly, in Dutch, the surname may be as Doeden, Tuunten, Maatman, and Verway.
Famous people with the name Duden
- Georg T. Duden: German historian and philologist from Prussia who was notable for reconstructing ancient languages such as Middle Low German and Old High German.
- Konrad Duden: German lexicographer who published the first dictionary of the German language in 1880.
- August Carl Duden: German lexicographer known for his etiquette books on correct German speech and usage.
- Wilhelm August Julius Arthur Ludwig Duden: German historian who published works on the political history of Germany.
- John Rudolf Duden: German-American explorer and naturalist who was responsible for introducing the term "Ozarks" to refer to a mountain region in the United States.
- Kaspar Arnold Dupin Duden: German-born American explorer, scientist, and historian who was responsible for introducing the culture and language of the Kaw Nation to the East Coast.
- Jan Kyselak (born Jan Duden): Czech baroque composer who is best known for his sacred compositions.
- Jakob Bernhard Duden: German astronomer and philosopher who published an influential work on the principles of spherical motion.
- Peter Duden: German-born Canadian politician who served as the leader of the Green Party of Canada.
- Wolfgang Duden: German physician and writer who wrote several books on the care of the elderly and the disabled.