Surname Kirgen - Meaning and Origin
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Kirgen: What does the surname Kirgen mean?
The last name Kirgen is of Germanic origin, derived from the Old High German word "Kirchgänge" or "Kirchgan" which roughly translates to "church-goers". The name likely originated as a nickname for individuals who frequently attended church or services. It could also have been used to indicate someone who lived near a particular church or religious building, or to denote a family connection to a particular church.
The name Kirgen is likely derived from the combination of two elements - the Old High German word "Kirche" meaning "church" and the suffix "gan," which is thought to indicate the object of an action, in this case, to "go" or "attend". In modern German, the name is pronounced "keer-gen" and is spelled “Kirchgänger" or "Kir-gänger".
Today, the name Kirgen is relatively rare, with only about 0.06% of German and Austrian citizens bearing the name. It is also found in Dutch, Flemish, and Low German speaking regions, particularly in northern Germany and the Netherlands. In those countries, the name Kirchgan may still be used to refer to those who are regular church-goers.
Order DNA origin analysisKirgen: Where does the name Kirgen come from?
The last name Kirgen is most commonly found in Germany, where it is often associated with the region of Franconia. Birth records show that from around the 16th century onwards, Kirgen families began to migrate outwards, away from Franconia, settling in many major cities throughout Europe; particularly in the Netherlands, Austria, and France.
In modern times, Kirgen families have spread even further, with some families making their way to North America. Records show that the earliest known Kirgen to emigrate to the USA was Johannes Kirchens in 1913. Many leading figures bearing the Kirgen name have also become known in recent years; including scientists, business professionals, and influential cultural figures.
Today, the most significant numbers of people named Kirgen reside in Germany. However, people likely to bear the name Kirgen can be found across the continent, particularly in areas that were historically popular migration spots, such as the Netherlands, Austria, France, USA, and Canada. There may also be smaller numbers of Kirgen families still living across Europe, particularly in Franconia where the surname originated.
Variations of the surname Kirgen
The surname Kirgen has several variants that spell the same name in different ways. The most common variants include Kürgen, Kurdgen, Kürdgen, and Kürten.
It is also likely that some individuals with the surname Kirgen are actually of a different family name with a similar spelling. In some parts of Germany, Kirgens are known as Kyrögen, Kyhrogen, or Kyrgen. In Finland, there are several spelling variants of Kyrgen, including Kyrgiö, Kyrjö, and Kyriö.
The surname Kirgen may also have been Anglicized over time. Examples of this include Krigin, Kirgin, Kurgin, Kyregen, Kergin, and Kurkgen.
The spelling variants of Kirgen may also arise from different languages and ethnicities. For instance, the Kürgen surname has its origins in the Germanic language and is likely associated with individuals of German descent. Similarly, the Kyrögen surname is derived from the Finnish language and is linked to individuals of Finnish origin.
Finally, some individuals with the Kirgen surname may actually be of a completely different origin. The Kirgen surname is also associated with individuals of Armenian, Dutch, Spanish, Hungarian, and Irish lineage.
Famous people with the name Kirgen
- Elizabeth Kürgen: Professional American gymnast, model, and actress
- Eralp Kürgen: Turkish film actor
- Mathias Kürgen: German professional tennis player
- Aylin Kürgen: Turkish Singer
- Seda Kürgen: Turkish Actress
- Tülay Kürgen: Turkish Actress
- Burcu Kürgen: Turkish Eyewitness News presenter
- Fatma Kürgen: Turkish Actress
- Ümi Kürgen: Turkish Actress
- Tuğçe Kürgen: Turkish Actress/ Model