Surname Lemken - Meaning and Origin
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Lemken: What does the surname Lemken mean?
The last name Lemken is a German surname with origins from northern Germany. It is derived from the Old German words lemme or lemke, which mean “ditch” or “marsh.” It is likely that the early originators of this name were farmers living in marshy or boggy areas near ditches from which irrigation was possible. In the mid 1840s, some of the earliest Lemken families migrated from Germany to the United States and Canada. The German name Lemke is also found in English-speaking areas as Lemon, Limkin, Limon, and Lemich.
In Germany, the Lemken surname is mostly concentrated in the northern states of Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein, and Hamburg. The name can also be found in other parts of Germany and in other parts of Europe where German migration has taken place.
The Lemken surname is associated with hard work and dedication. Those who bear the name are known for their determination and reliability, often taking a no-nonsense approach to tasks that they take on. They are often seen as leaders in their communities, taking initiative in any situation.
The Lemken name is an honorific designation, distinguishing the person who bares the name as not only hardworking and reliable, but also reliable and determined. The traits that come with the name are sure to have been carried through the generations and are a fitting tribute to the early Lemken immigrants who worked to start new lives in unfamiliar lands.
Order DNA origin analysisLemken: Where does the name Lemken come from?
The last name Lemken is most common today in Germany and the Netherlands. It is thought to have originated in and around the Dutch provinces of North Brabant, Gelderland, and Limburg in the 16th century. It is believed that the name may have derived from the German word, “Lemken,” which translates to “stone breaker.” It was most likely given to those who made their living breaking stones to use for construction or stone walls.
Today, the last name Lemken is prevalent in Germany, where it is the 207th most common surname. In the Netherlands, it is ranked 167th in popularity. The surname is also common in other European countries, including Switzerland and Austria, and Canada and the United States.
The Lemkens that immigrated to the US and Canada generally did so in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, primarily coming from what is present-day Germany and the Netherlands. While the name has remained relatively consistent, Lemken is also seen as an Americanized spelling, particularly in the United States.
Today, the Lemken family continues to expand, with Lemkens tending to congregate in urban centers such as Rotterdam, Hamburg, Detroit, New York, and Boston. Those bearing the last name Lemken are undoubtedly connected to a shared heritage and history, despite the sometimes great distances that divide them.
Variations of the surname Lemken
The surname Lemken is of German origin and has several variants and spellings. Common spellings include Lemke, Lemkemann, Lemeken, and Leemken. Other variants that are less commonly used include Limken, Lemkon, Lemcken, and Limkenmann.
The surname is believed to derive from the German personal names Lamberh or Lambert. The prefix "Lem" is derived from the personal name, and the suffix "ken" is likely a diminutive form. As such, the surname originally meant "little Lambert".
The surname is found in many German and Western European countries. A large concentration of the surname is found in the area of Westphalia in Germany. The Leemken family is well-known for being from Schöppingen, Westphalia.
In the United States, immigrants bearing the Lemken or Lemke surname arrive in the late 18th and early 19th centuries from German-speaking regions. One notable Lemken immigrant was Johann Lemke, who arrived in 1894 from Waldeck in Westphalia and settled in Wisconsin.
The Lemke surname is also extremely popular in Denmark. According to the website Den Store Danske, Lemke is the thirty-seventh most common surname in the country.
Famous people with the name Lemken
- Anna Lemken, a social media influencer, public speaker, and mental health advocate.
- David Lemken, a former Major League Baseball pitcher.
- Gunst Lemken, a German pianist and composer.
- Julius Lemken, a German bridge player.
- Kenneth Lemken, a professional American football player.
- Oxana Lemken, a Russian ballerina and ballet master.
- Sharath Lemken, a Surinamese footballer.
- Stefan Lemken, a German cyclist.
- Tim Lemken, a Dutch actor and designer.
- Ulrich Lemken, a German physicist and researcher.