Surname Eggen - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'E'
Eggen: What does the surname Eggen mean?
The last name Eggen is a German surname derived from the word 'Eiche', which means 'oak'. This indicates that people with this surname likely had ancestors that were associated with the oak tree in some way.
The tree has long been a symbol of endurance and strength, and many old Germanic cultures believed it had magical qualities. Oak trees were also highly valued in Germany as a source of building materials for homes and barns. This connection could have been the reason why the Eggen surname was adopted by people living in regions of Germany where oak trees were abundant.
The surname could also have derived from the German word 'Ekke', which means 'edge' or 'corner'. This could have been given to people who lived in a certain corner or edge in a village, indicating that they were from a specific area.
Regional dialects in Germany were also known to use the word 'eick', which was a variation of the word 'eiche'. It originally referred to an oak tree, but eventually became associated with the title of someone who was wise, mature and respected within their community.
Overall, the German surname Eggen is derived from the German word 'Eiche', meaning oak. It's often associated with strength, wisdom, and the ability to endure difficult times. People with this name likely had ancestors who were associated with oak trees or lived in a certain edge of a village.
Order DNA origin analysisEggen: Where does the name Eggen come from?
The name Eggen is an extremely rare one and can be found mainly in Norway. According to the Norwegian Census, in 2019, there were only 74 people in the entire country with the last name Eggen. This name appears in records since at least the late 1600s in Norway. It is unclear if the name is of Norwegian descent or if it had originally derived from another country, such as Germany or Sweden.
Eggen is a patronymic last name, meaning it originates from ancestors and is derived from a parent name. In the case of the Eggen family, it is likely that the original name is "Eggunn" or "Eggun". This could also be a shortened version of an Old Norse name, such as "Egglaug" or "Eggvi".
According to records, there has been a concentration of Eggens in the Hordaland County in Norway for some time. This area is in the southwest of the country and consists of the cities of Bergen, Hjelmeland and Lindås.
Today, the last name Eggen is not found often outside Norway. There are a few families with the name in the United States, but they likely originated in Norway and moved to the US in the 1900s. It is also possible to find a few Eggen families in German. However, the last name remains a rather rare name in Europe today.
Variations of the surname Eggen
The surname Eggen is a German occupational surname derived from the Old High German word “egge” meaning a “plough”. It is thought to have originally been used to refer to a farmer who owned a plough, or an individual who managed the tool. Over time, it has also been spelled in a variety of ways including Egen, Egger, Eiger, Ege, and Eggin.
The anglicised spelling of the surname in various countries is often listed as “Egan”. In France, it is known as Aigin and in Italy, it is seen as Agini. As the family has spread, a variety of other surnames have been derived from this original one, such as Eggert, Eggenberger, Eggertsen, Eggel, Eggle, Eggelsberger, and Egelstein.
Various parts of Europe have seen regional spellings or variants of the name, such as “Eggen” in Germany, “Eggen” in Austria, “Eguin” in Spain, “E oggen” in Switzerland, and “Eggan” in Scotland.
In addition, there are also a number of surnames that are said to share the same root, including Egmont, Eglinton, Eglington, Egloff, Egilby, Aiglon, Aiglia, Egleston, and Eagleton.
Today, the Eggen surname is common throughout Europe, as well as in the United States. In the US, it is estimated that there are over 900 people who share the Eggen last name.
Famous people with the name Eggen
- Bjørn Eggen: a Norwegian composer, musicologist, organist, and conductor.
- Mathilde Eggen: a Norweigan Alpine skier and Olympic medalist.
- David Eggen: a Norwegian politician for the Norwegian Labour Party and leader of Friends of the Earth Norway.
- Lars Eggen: a former freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestler from Norway.
- Steve Eggen: an American actor, stuntman, and professional wrestler.
- Birger Eggen: a former Norwegian handball player.
- Michel Eggen: a former Belgian footballer who played both as a goalkeeper and a defender.
- Torkil Eggen: a former Norwegian cross-country skier.
- Mogens Eggen: a Danish football player and manager.
- Knut Eggen: a Norwegian football coach and ex-player.