Surname Holten - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'H'
Holten: What does the surname Holten mean?
The last name Holten is a German and Dutch surname derived from the Middle High German words "holt" or "holte," meaning originally a piece of land that was heavily wooded. The prefix "holt" was often used to refer to a clearing in a forest, which is why the word was also adopted as a surname.
In Germany, the name is particularly associated with the northern states of Westphalia and Bremen, but there is also a small area near Cologne, the Oberbergische region, where the name is found. The surname may refer to someone who lived in or near a region called "holte," an area of forest clearing. It may have also referred to a family that derived its wealth from forestry or logmeister (timber master).
The Netherlands previously also contained a dense woodland of the same name, the region known as Holtense. In Dutch, Holtentse became Holten. This is why the name is sometimes seen as representative of a geographical location in the Netherlands.
In Scandinavia, Holten is also derived from the Old Norse "hol" meaning "an enclosure or shelter".
The surname variation is most likely a patronym, indicating a parent-child relationship, and pointed to a family that lived near a wooded area or the descendants of someone from a certain hometown that bore the same name, such as Holtentse.
In some cases, the name Holten appears to be derived from a place name, indicating an ancestor may have come from an area with the same name, such as the Netherlands or Scandinavia.
Today, the Holten family is widespread, representing a history spanning many thousands of years. The name continues to stand for strength, heritage and proud lineage, and reminds people of the importance of protecting the natural environment for generations to come.
Order DNA origin analysisHolten: Where does the name Holten come from?
The last name Holten is not especially common, but can be found around the world. It is a predominantly Dutch name, the oldest records of the name coming from the towns of Speed and Zegge in the Netherlands in 1528. Today most people with the last name live in the Netherlands and Belgium, but the name has spread around the world as people have migrated. Germany, the United States, Canada, Great Britain and Australia all have families with the last name Holten. Immigration has spread the name to South Africa and other nations in the Caribbean, and families with the name can also be found in Brazil, Norway and Poland. The English term “haltin”, meaning “halt”, likely represents an adapted version of the same name, and is used in parts of the United States and Canada. In terms of population it is not a particularly common name; for instance, the Netherlands has around 6,300 people with the last name, while in the United States there are only around 1,500 citizens with the name. Holten families, regardless of their country of origin, generally share a sense of multiculturalism stemming from their shared name’s origins, and a love of exploration and travel.
Variations of the surname Holten
The surname Holten has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These variations include Holdin, Hoolton, Hoelton, Hulden, Houlden, Haleen, Hallen, Halton, Holdan, Holdane, Holton, Holden, Houdin, Houten, and Holthen.
Holdin is an old variation and a possible variant of Holten. It is an anglicised spelling of the Old Norse Hālðinn. In Old Norse, Hālðinn means "stone man", or "man of stone".
Hoolton, another variant of Holten, is a patronymic surname derived from the given name Halldor or Haltor. In Old Norse, the elements “halldor” and “hal = stone” are combined to form the name. This suggests that the original bearer of the name was someone descended from Halldor or his kin.
Hoelton is another variation of Holten. This spelling is likely derived from the Old Norse, possibly a combination of “hal = stone” and “tun = settlement”. This suggests that the original bearer of the name was someone who lived in a stone settlement.
Hulden, Houlden, Haleen, Hallen, Halton, Holdan, Holdane, Holton, Holden, Houdin, Houten, and Holthen are all variations of the surname Holten. All these spellings likely originate from the Old Norse name Hālðinn, which is made up of the elements “halldor”, meaning “stone” and “tun”, which implies a settlement. This suggests that the original bearer of the surname Holten was someone who lived in a stone settlement.
Famous people with the name Holten
- Eric Holten: American entrepreneur and author, co-founder and CEO of a leading online sports technology.
- Nicklas Holten: Former goalkeeper for Denmark's national football team.
- Ben Holten: Actor best known for portraying Marty McFly in the Back to the Future film trilogy.
- Thomas Holten: Norwegian speed skater who won a gold medal in the 5,000-meter event at the 2014 Winter Olympics.
- Britt Holten: Danish singer and songwriter, best known for her 2016 single “Reality.”
- Louis Holten: Dutch footballer who played professionally for several clubs in the Netherlands.
- Harry Holten: Swedish ice hockey player who played in the NHL for the Los Angeles Kings.
- Pernille Holten: Danish barefoot water skier who competed in the 1999 world championships in the women's overall category.
- Peter Holten: Danish journalist and television presenter, best known for hosting the Danish version of the Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? game show.
- Greg Holten: American soccer player who played professionally for the Miami Fusion and Colorado Rapids.