Surname Peiken - Meaning and Origin
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Peiken: What does the surname Peiken mean?
The surname Peiken is of Ashkenazi Jewish origin. However, its exact meaning is not clear because Jewish surnames can be derived from a variety of sources such as occupations, physical characteristics, locations, or even patronyms, which are derived from the father's first name. Without specific historical and familial context, it is challenging to pinpoint the meaning. Moreover, Jewish last names were often altered significantly as Jews migrated across different regions, and different languages influenced name spellings and meanings. There can also be variations in the spelling of Jewish surnames, and it's possible that Peiken is a variant of other Jewish surnames.
Furthermore, Jewish families didn't generally use inherited surnames until legally required to do so by the countries they lived in. For instance, in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Jews were legally required to adopt fixed, hereditary surnames in the1780s, while in Russia this law was not enforced until after the Napoleonic Wars in the early 19th century. Therefore, without knowledge of the historical, geographic, and familial context, the exact meaning of the surname Peiken remains unclear. It's always fascinating to explore these histories from a personal or family angle as it could add layers of information and might even lead to the exact origin and meaning of the surname.
Order DNA origin analysisPeiken: Where does the name Peiken come from?
The Peiken surname is most commonly found in the United States, Canada, and Israel. In the United States, most individuals with the last name are located in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern states, including New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Massachusetts. Those with the family name may also be found in the United Kingdom and France, though in much smaller numbers.
The Peiken name has roots in the German, Dutch, Hungarian, and Jewish populations. Members of the family have also been noted in Poland and Lithuania. It's believed that the family name originally has Yiddish origins, and appeared in it's first recorded form (Peyk) on religious documents from 14th century Germany.
The most common variation of the Peiken surname today is 'Pecken, and the two share a great many spelling variants, including Pekun, Paikein, Paykin, Peckin, and others. It's believed all of these forms can be traced back to the same root family name.
The popularity of the surname has decreased significantly in the past few hundred years, though its prevalence in America remains strong. In addition to this, many families with the Peiken name have spread out, contributing to the family's global presence.
Variations of the surname Peiken
Peiken is a rare surname of possibly German origin. It has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
Variants of the surname Peiken include Pechen, Pechenin, Peichin, Becker, Peicker, Petken, Pettken, Pricken, and Pickin. These variants are often associated with the German word ‘pecke’, which translates to ‘point’.
The surname also has spellings including Picken, Piken, Peuken, Pecken, Peckin, Pecken, Pikin, Peeking, Pickin, Picking, Peacksin, Packen, and Poaken. Sometimes it is also spelled Picken, Pieken, Piakan, Paykin, and Poyken.
Surnames of the same origin include Bjeck, Bechen, Becher, Beicker, Becker, Beichen, Beichin, Bicker, Boecker, Peeker, Peiker, Peake, Piak, Piecker, Pieckert, Pieken, Poeken, Poecker, Peacker, Peckin, Ripken, Ricken, and Riecker.
Overall, the surname Peiken is quite rare and has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These spellings and surnames are often associated with the German word ‘pecke’ which translates to ‘point’.
Famous people with the name Peiken
- Steve Peiken: Steve Peiken is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer who has written and produced hit songs for many popular artists. He has worked on albums by Monica, Janet Jackson, 'N Sync, Mandy Moore, Backstreet Boys, The Jonas Brothers, Britney Spears, and many more.
- Mark Peiken: Mark Peiken is a Canadian musician and songwriter who is known for his work with Celine Dion, Avril Lavigne, Pink, Maroon 5, and Kelly Clarkson. He has been nominated for numerous awards, including three Grammys, and has written and co-written multiple hit singles.
- Gina Peiken: Gina Peiken is an American songwriter and producer who has contributed to many Grammy and Oscar-winning albums. She has written and produced award-winning material for multiple artists, including Kelly Clarkson, Celine Dion, Simon & Garfunkel, and Madonna, among others.
- Ruth Peiken: Ruth Peiken is an American playwright, author, and music lecturer who has won multiple awards for her works which often explore themes of family, gender, and identity. Her plays have been performed internationally, and her books have been widely praised.
- Cassandra Peiken: Cassandra Peiken is an American television producer, writer, and director. She has worked on popular shows such as “The Office,” “Mad Men,” “Better Call Saul,” “Fargo,” “Ugly Betty," and “The Big Bang Theory." She has been nominated for multiple Emmy and Writers Guild of America awards.