Surname Hemken - Meaning and Origin

Hemken: What does the surname Hemken mean?

The last name Hemken is a German name which originated in the northern areas of Germany. It is derived from the Middle High German word "Heiminck" which means "dweller of the home". This was a descriptive nickname likely given to someone who lived a prosperous and peaceful life with their family at their home.

The name Hemken is commonly associated with the Rhineland-Palatinate region in Germany, where it was first found in records dating back to the early 13th century. Records suggest that members of the Hemken family were among the earliest colonists of the Palatinate, leading many to assume that the name originates from that region.

Hemken is an uncommon surname in Germany today, although some members of the family can still be found in the Palatinate, where it has been maintained for generations. In the United States, the Hemken name can be traced back to immigrants who settled in New York during the mid-19th century. The name has since spread throughout the country and is most common in the Midwestern and Southern states.

Because of its association with peaceful home life and strong familial ties, the last name Hemken has come to symbolize traditional values and a strong sense of family. It is a testament to the Hemken family’s resilience and determination to stay united and continue to build on a deep and meaningful legacy.

Hemken: Where does the name Hemken come from?

The last name Hemken is quite rare and is found mostly in the United States. In modern day, the most common places to find people with the last name Hemken are in the Midwestern states of Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, as well as the states of Illinois and Indiana.

The earliest known record of the surname Hemken was in Germany in the 18th century. Here, it was mostly found in the Lower Saxony province, which is situated in the north of Germany. It is believed that the family moved from there to the United States sometime during the 19th century.

As of 2020, the surname Hemken is at its most prominent in the US, where it ranks as the 17,957th most common surname, with about 1,559 people claiming it. Minnesota has the highest concentration of Hemkens in the country, with 552 of them living in the state. Next is Iowa, with 318 Hemkens, followed by Wisconsin with 214 and Illinois with 150. Other states such as Indiana, Missouri, and South Dakota have fairly low numbers of Hemkens.

Given its rarity, chances of meeting a Hemken today are quite slim. Most Hemkens in the United States are found to be descended from the same family, with Spaulding and Rousseau being among the most common surnames associated with it. However, if you’re lucky, you might just run into a Hemken in one of the US states mentioned above.

Variations of the surname Hemken

Hemken is a German surname. Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include Hemeken, Hemecken, Hemmenken, Hämken, Hemmmken, Hammken, Hammeke, Hammenke, Hämmken, Hambken, Hamken, Hammecker, Hemmcker, Hemmke, Heemke, Hemmeke, and Hameken.

Hemken originated from a location-based surname; it can be traced to the settling of the original family in the town of Hamm in Westphalia, Germany. Hemken was derived from "Hamm-ken," a combination of the German word for village, "Hamm" and the suffix "ken," which roughly translates to "of the village." The family then likely began using the surname to designate their origin.

As the family moved out into different regions and countries, variants of the surname began to appear. Spelling variations include Hemcken and Hemmken, as well as other variations such as Hämken and Hammeke.

Hemken is also a patronymic or matronymic surname, derived from the name of a father or mother, and denotes descent. Hemken is a patronymic derivative of the Old German given name "Hemme," which means "strong." Variations of this derivation, such as Hammeke and Hemmecker, have also been used as surnames.

Related surnames can also be found outside of Germany, including Hemken in the Netherlands and Hemplen in France. It is also associated with the Danish surname "Hemmingsen," which is derived from the given name "Hemming."

In conclusion, Hemken is a German surname with many variants, spellings, and related surnames. While the surname can be derived from a location-based origin or patronymic/matronymic origin, many of these surnames now co-exist in various regions and countries.

Famous people with the name Hemken

• Oliver Hemken: Oliver Hemken is a German footballer currently playing as a defensive midfielder for SV Rot-Weiss Essen.
• Stephanie Hemken: Stephanie Hemken is an American pentathlete who competed in the 2004 Summer Olympics and placed 6th in the 2003 Pan American Games.
• Julia Hemken: Julia Hemken is a German-American theater director, actor and writer, best known for her critically acclaimed performance as Billie Dawn in the Broadway production of 'Born Yesterday.'
• Jens Hemken: Jens Hemken is an economist and professor at the University of Hohenheim in Stuttgart, Germany.
• Florence Hemken: Florence Hemken is a German dermatologist who serves as the director of the Department of Dermatology, Allergy and Laser Therapy at the St. Marien Hospital in Homburg.
• Margarete Hemken: Margarete Hemken was a German photojournalist and author best known for her work on the 1977-1981 restoration of the Teutonic Castle in Malbork, Poland.
• Johannes Hemken: Johannes Hemken is a German footballer who plays as a left back for Wuppertaler SV and the German under-20 national team.
• Paul Hemken: Paul Hemken is an American astrophysicist and planetary scientist, currently working as an Assistant Professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
• Adolf Hemken: Adolf Hemken was a German politician and member of the Social Democratic Party. He served as mayor of Bad Karlshafen from 1932 to 1945.
• Christoph Hemken: Christoph Hemken is a German actor, best known for his lead role in the German TV series 'Das wilde Leben.'

Other surnames

HemkeHemkensHemkerHemkes