Surname Hinken - Meaning and Origin
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Hinken: What does the surname Hinken mean?
The last name Hinken is of Dutch origin, meaning “clever” or “smart.” It comes from the Dutch word “hink,” which means “to think,” often used to describe someone who is insightful or particularly sharp. The name has been in use since the 16th century, and it has also branched out to include forms such as Hinck, Hincks, Hincken, Hinkes, Hinks, Hincke, Hinkes, and many more.
The name has often been used as a nickname for someone who had a reputation for clever ideas. It was likely originally used in reference to their sharp wit and quick thinking, which drew admiration and regard from the other members of their community. Although its exact origin is unknown, it was likely used by communities in ancient Holland, especially among those of peasant and lower class descent.
Overall, the last name Hinken carries connotations of strength and cleverness. It is a unique name, and those who bear it can be proud of its centuries-old heritage. Modern-day Hinkens who are looking to explore more of their name’s origin can use many online resources to learn more about the name’s history and usage.
Order DNA origin analysisHinken: Where does the name Hinken come from?
The last name Hinken is most commonly found in Germany and other countries in the region. In Germany, it is recorded as being the 20th most common family name. The surname is also recorded as being quite common in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, and Austria. It means "from Hinken," which is a village in Hanover, Germany. The village is an old settlement and is mentioned in historical records since the 11th century, which suggests the Hinken surname is likely quite old.
In the United States, the surname is mostly of German origin and is found in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa. However, due to the fact that the name is more common in Europe, it most likely arrived in the U.S. much later in its history, possibly around the late 1800s.
In the United Kingdom, the surname is also of German origin. It is relatively rare; however, there is evidence of records in various locations, including Kent, Warwickshire, Gloucestershire, London, Durham, and Nottingham.
In Australia and New Zealand, the surname is likely of German or Dutch origin due to the countries' immigrants. Records of the surname appear in those countries relatively recently, which suggests it came with immigrants more recently than elsewhere.
All of this indicates that today, the surname Hinken is still most common in Germany and other regions with close Germanic connections, such as the Netherlands, Belgium, and Austria. It is now also found in England, the United States, Australia and New Zealand.
Variations of the surname Hinken
The surname Hinken has numerous variants, spellings, and surnames of similar origin. The most common spelling variations are Hinchen, Hinckson, Hincken, Hinckes, Hinkson, Hinsken, Hensken, Henschen, Henken, Hencken, and Hincksen.
In Germany, the surname is considered to originate from the Old German word "hincken," which means "to live in a bend or curve, to enter a bend," or "to look around." The name could refer to those who lived in a bend in a river or road, or those who regularly visited a particular place.
In The Netherlands, the surname is derived from the Dutch words "hen" which means "old" or "aged" and "ken" meaning "with." The combined form can thus mean "old with" or "aged with" leading to the connotation that the original bearer of the surname was very familiar with the area, and that it was likely he Americanized his own name at some stage.
In Poland and Scandinavia, the surname is considered to derive from the name "Hinkel," which emerged from the Old Germanic name "Hinko." The name was a popular name throughout Poland and Scandinavia due to its strong geographical pedigree.
Other surnames of similar origin include Hinkelman, Hinckley, Hincker, Hinkeman, Hincheman, Hincer, Hinkley, and Hickenbotham. All of these surnames would have originated from either the Dutch, German, or Scandinavian languages.
Famous people with the name Hinken
- Gibson Hinken: an American actress, best known for her roles in the films "Big Love" and "Clueless".
- Ric Hinken: an American actor, best known for his starring role on the TV show "My Name Is Earl".
- John Hinken: a former NFL player who played with the Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars and Baltimore Ravens.
- Randy Hinken: a former MLB player who played with the Baltimore Orioles, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, Colorado Rockies, and Kansas City Royals.
- Paul Hinken: a German swimmer who won four medals at the 1984 Olympic Games.
- Claus-Dieter Hinken: a German director, writer, and producer.
- Anne Hinken: a Danish actress, best known for her roles in the film "Hale Bopp" and the TV series "Borgen".
- Barbara Hinken: a German author of children's books and plays.
- Marcella Hinken: an American television producer, best known for her work on the TV series "Chicago Fire".
- Louise Hinken: a British actress, best known for her roles in the play "The Producers" and the TV show "Agatha Christie's Poirot".