Surname Ockenfuß - Meaning and Origin
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Ockenfuß: What does the surname Ockenfuß mean?
The last name Ockenfuß is derived from the Low German word “vogel” which translates to “bird”. Connecting this to the ending “fuß” which translates to “foot”, the last name Ockenfuß essentially translates to “bird foot”. It is believed to have originated in the Westphalian region in Germany in the 13th century, as an occupational name for a trade involving trapping and hunting birds.
An early instance of the surname is found in the records of the city of Lübeck from 1327. By this time, it was an established surname and was likely used by several families. The name was eventually brought to other countries in Europe, such as Sweden and France, by German immigrants in the 17th and 18th centuries.
In today’s modern world, the Ockenfuss name is associated with strong family values and a close-knit community. People with this surname often share a strong sense of loyalty and respect, both for their families and their heritage. As a result, the Ockenfuss family is widely regarded as a close-knit and loyal group. They have been known to lend each other emotional and physical support as they face tough times together.
Despite the strong roots they have cultivated over the centuries, the number of Ockenfuss family members is hard to estimate due to a very disparate geographical distribution. Regardless of their geographical locations, members of the Ockenfuss family are happy and proud to carry the surname and take an active part in recognizing and celebrating its importance and its history.
Order DNA origin analysisOckenfuß: Where does the name Ockenfuß come from?
The last name Ockenfuß is still most common today in areas such as Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Czech Republic. Ockenfuß is a relatively rare name and is believed to be derived from the Middle High German surname Okenfuss, translating to "oak foot".
The name appears to have its earliest origins in the German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern as early as the 15th century. It has since spread to the other countries mentioned prior, while also showing up in records in other countries such as Denmark, England, and Portugal.
In today's Germany, the last name Ockenfuß is most common in the state of Hamburg, while in Switzerland, it is most frequently found in the canton of Zurich. The popularity of the name in Austria and Czech Republic is much lower, though still present.
Overall, the last name Ockenfuß is relatively rare but it can still be found throughout the Germanic-speaking parts of Europe today. As some countries opened up records to the public, it became easier for researchers and genealogists to trace the presence of the name in different countries throughout history.
Variations of the surname Ockenfuß
The surname Ockenfuß (or Oeckenfuss) is of German origin and has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Ockenfuß is a topographic and habitational name derived from a place, most likely in eastern Germany, which could have been named after an animal, such as a wild boar, a fox, or an ox. The name is likely to have been written in medieval German as “Ocken” or “Oecken.” The “fuß” portion of the surname means “foot” in German, and was generally added as a suffix to signify the place of origin. Variations of the original Ockenfuß surname include Ockenfus, Ockenfuß, Ockfenest, Ockhausen, Ocker, Ockermann, Ocken, Ockebauer, Ockenbauern, Ockenreich, Ockershausen, Ockes, Ockäs, and Oekenfeuss. In the United States, the spelling of the name has gradually changed over time to Ockenfus, Ockenfuss, Ockenhausen, Ockman, and Ocken. In addition, the name is found in various spellings in other countries including Oekenfeuss in Germany, Ocker in the Netherlands, Ockershausen in Austria, and Okenfuss in France.
Famous people with the name Ockenfuß
- Barbara Ockenfuss: German-born American sculptor who created outdoor art installations in many locations around the world.
- Jonas Ockenfuss: German mathematician specializing in probability theory and statistics.
- Sara Ockenfuss: former French professional tennis player.
- Joseph Ockenfuss: 19th-century German political leader.
- Earl Ockenfuss: American actor, director, and playwright, best known for his work on the musical comedy "Kiss Me, Kate".
- Milton Ockenfuss: former American football running back, who played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League.
- Dorothy Ockenfuss: former American child actress who appeared in several silent movies.
- Friedrich Ockenfuss: German botanist and zoologist, who was one of the first to study the links between marine animals and their environment.
- Gunther Ockenfuss: German screenwriter and film director, best known for his works "The Red Balloon" and "Shadows of Doubt".
- Wilhelm Ockenfuss: German pediatrician who specialized in child nutrition and was the first to recognize the importance of zinc in the baby's diet.