Surname Otjen - Meaning and Origin

Otjen: What does the surname Otjen mean?

The last name Otjen is German and is believed to be derived from a personal Germanic name "Odo" or "Otto." This name was in turn derived from the Old High German word "od," which means "wealth" or "fortune." Other linguistic origins may include the Olde English "atten," which references an "elder" or "ancestor," and the Old Norse "atjon," which refers to an "estate."

The earliest known ancestor of the name Otjen was Volradus de Oton, who was born in 1150 in the city of Aachen, Germany. It is from this ancestral home that the name developed.

In the Middle Ages, the surname Otjen first spread to the Netherlands and then eventually to Belgium. Some Otjens eventually moved to America in search of greater social and economic opportunities.

The Otjen family is believed to have originated in the state of Lower Saxony in Northern Germany. The Otjen family crest features a rampant lion atop a shield, and the family motto is "Non-Timebunt Virtus," which means "Unfearing Virtue."

Today, the Otjen surname is most commonly found in the area around Lower Saxony, Odenwald, and the North Sea. Those who bear the Otjen name often have a great sense of pride in their ancestry and trace their family back to a nobility descended from the Frankish kings.

Otjen: Where does the name Otjen come from?

The last name Otjen is primarily found in Germany. Records of the name first appear in the country in the late 19th century but its origin is thought to have much deeper roots. It has since spread to other countries with a significant population of Otjens in the United States, Canada, Australia, and South Africa.

The Otjen name is thought to have originated as an occupational name derived from Old German for “teamster” or “mover of goods”. It is generally believed that the first bearer of the name lived in a farming or agricultural setting and was responsible for moving goods from one place to another.

In the United States, the Otjen name can be found in many different states, with a majority located in the Midwest and Great Lakes regions. This includes states such as Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota, and Illinois. However, there is also a sizable population in states such as California, New York, and Pennsylvania.

Overall, the Otjen name is relatively uncommon. It has a long and varied history and is still fairly well-represented in a number of countries with a little concentration seen in the United States. Although it’s still relatively rare, it’s certainly still in use today.

Variations of the surname Otjen

The surname Otjen is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German name of Oetgen. Primarily found in Northwest Germany in the provinces of Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia, the surname has been documented since the 13th century and is still quite prominent in the region today. The variants of Otjen include Oetjen, Otting, Oetting, Oetting, Oettinger, Oettel, and Ottjes.

In some cases, several different variations of the same family may exist with overlapping spellings. For example, various branches of the same family may have changed the spelling of the name slightly over time, resulting in Otjen, Oetjen, and Oeting. Similarly, the name Otjen may also have migrated to other countries where it transposed into other pronunciations and variations such as Oetzing.

The surname Otjen is not limited to Germany. Over the centuries, many of its bearers have migrated to other parts of Europe and beyond, creating even more variants of the name. Common migration patterns include areas in Scandinavia like Denmark and Sweden, as well as Eastern Europe such as the Czech Republic. Some of the surnames which could be of the same origin include Ottvadin in Czech, Itsumi in Japanese, and Oetjenson in Icelandic.

Overall, the surname Otjen has a variety of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Understanding the original German version of the surname is an important step in being able to trace the genealogy of the surname throughout its many iterations throughout the world.

Famous people with the name Otjen

• Kristen Otjen: She is a fashion editor, stylist, and costume designer who’s worked on multiple films, including the 2016 Golden Globe-nominated “Love & Friendship”.
• Mark Otjen: He is a former NFL defensive back who played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1993 to 1995.
• Paul Otjen: He is a payroll professional who currently serves as the director of payroll operations for Trader Joe’s, Inc.
• Tony Otjen: He is the pastor and lead teacher at the Congregation of Yahweh in Kansas and Oklahoma.
• Jennifer Otjen: She is a professional makeup artist and hair stylist based in Los Angeles.
• Emily Otjen: She is a journalist and host for television and radio, as well as digital content.
• Andrew Otjen: He is a former NFL offensive lineman who played for the Cleveland Browns in 1998.
• Lisa Otjen: She is a writer, director, producer, and editor who has worked on films such as “The Art of Flight” and “To Dance Like a Panther”.
• Joan Otjen: She is a painter who has works displayed in museums throughout the United States.
• Charles Otjen: He is a film director who has worked on films like “The Great Divide” and “The Apology Documentary.”

Other surnames

Ötjens