Surname Ergen - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'E'
Ergen: What does the surname Ergen mean?
The surname Ergen is of German, Dutch, and Jewish (Ashkenazic) origin. The name is derived from the German word ergehen, which literally means to pass over or to issue forth. Thus, the name is most likely derived from the terms for a magistrate or official who asks questions and thus governs the court. It is possible that Ergen was an occupational surname for a judge or legal official.
Ergen is most commonly found in countries with a German speaking population, including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and the US. It is also present in Jewish communities, who are thought to have adapted the name from the local German populations after migrating to Germany and other countries in the Middle Ages.
The name Ergen has characteristics traditionally associated with German surnames. It is a member of a class of German names that use prefixes, such as Er (‘son of’) or von (‘from’). Families with this surname have roots tracing back to medieval Germany, yet the name still holds significance today and is still in use by many people.
Order DNA origin analysisErgen: Where does the name Ergen come from?
The last name Ergen is most commonly found in countries located in Central and Northern Europe, such as Norway, Sweden, Germany, Austria, and Denmark. It is also quite common in the United States, specifically in the midwestern and western regions.
The name is of Germanic origin and derived from the Old High German word ‘ergen,’ which means ‘shining/radiant one.’ The Irish surname O'Ergan is believed to be a variant of the Ergen name.
Ergen is a popular given name in Sweden, where it ranks within the top 100 names given to baby girls in 2020. In the U.S., it ranks significantly lower, with only a few dozen girls having the name.
The name Ergen is also associated with a Germanic heritage, which is why it is so common in Northern Europe. Many people with this last name may still live in the countries such as Norway, Sweden, Germany, Austria, Denmark and in the United States. Not all those bearing the name are descended from the same original source, as the name can have spread geographically over time. However, the name itself remains, regardless of precise origins.
Overall, the last name Ergen is still common today in parts of Northern and Central Europe, as well as in the U.S. It is also an increasingly popular given name in Sweden.
Variations of the surname Ergen
Ergen is a Turkish surname, sometimes spelled Eregen or Argen. The surname originated in Anatolia, a region that encompasses much of contemporary Turkey's territory.
Ergen is derived from the Turkic arğan, meaning "noble" or "kingly," and was first used to refer to members of a certain Turkmen tribe. The word eventually became an honorific title to indicate a prestigious family or clan. Over time, it has become established as a surname throughout the Ottoman Empire, and is still common in some parts of modern Turkey.
Variants of the Ergen surname include Ergin, Emergen, Yergin, Ermisti, Argenti, Argento, and Argentino. The last three variants may also be used as first names.
Other surnames of the same origin include Argan, Uluergen, Kırgız, and Ağrıman. Aksoy is a common Turkish surname with a similar etymology, albeit derived from a different Turkic word.
Famous people with the name Ergen
- Charlie Ergen: Co-Founder and Chairman, DISH Network Corporation
- Jim Ergen: Co-Founder and CEO, DISH Network Corporation
- Randall Ergen: Co-Founder and President, DISH Network Corporation
- Nihat Ergün: Former Turkish Minister of Transportation
- Sena Ergün: Turkish politician and Minister of State responsible for women
- Alex Ergen: Former Yugoslav footballer
- Ethem Ergen: Water polo player
- Timur Ergen: Turkkmen football player
- Ramazan Ergen: Turkish professional wrestler
- Nihat Ergen: Turkish actor and director