Surname PitkÄnen - Meaning and Origin

PitkÄnen: What does the surname PitkÄnen mean?

The last name Pitkänen is of Finnish origin and is derived from words meaning "long/"tall" and "cape." It is primarily found among families originated from the eastern part of Finland, especially from Karelia.

The name Pitkänen is many centuries old and was originally borne by distinguished families in the region, often those involved in the timber trade and farming. It can also be seen as a sign of the significance given to beauty and elegance among the Finnish people, with the name referring to a stunning and tall cape.

Pitkänen is an uncommonly used Finnish surname, though over the years more individuals have begun to take this surname as part of their own family history. It often indicates descent from an ancient or noble family, as surnames of Finnish origin were generally reserved for the upper classes and the most influential families of the country.

Today, the Pitkänen surname is still held in many families and clans throughout Estonia, Sweden, and Finland. Despite its relatively unique prevalence, when encountered the name is usually associated with Nordic regions. It’s a surname that clearly reflects the cultural legacy and beauty of Finnish people, and its attached nobility and strength remains with each generation.

PitkÄnen: Where does the name PitkÄnen come from?

The last name PITKÄNEN is known to be especially common in Finland, the Nordic country in Northern Europe. It is not known to be particularly popular among any other ethnicity, and is rarely found outside areas with significant Finnish ancestry. Statistically, the last name is the 97th most common in Finland and is most commonly found in eastern and northern regions of the country, particularly in the provinces of Uusimaa, Pohjois-Karjala, and Kymenlaakso.

Among Finnish-Americans, as well, the last name PITKÄNEN is found in large numbers in areas where the Finnish population is highest, such as in Minnesota, Michigan, and Maine. Finlander communities in these states show a strong presence of the name, as many emigrated during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Additionally, a total of fifteen distinct Finnish emigrant families with this last name can be traced from various parts of the United States.

The last name PITKÄNEN can also be seen in other countries around the world, from Finland’s neighboring countries such as Sweden and Norway to further regions of Europe, as well as Asia, Australia, and North and South America. It should be noted, however, that the name is still most commonly associated with Scandinavia and Finland due to its prevalence there.

Variations of the surname PitkÄnen

Pitkänen is a patronymic surname of Finnish origin. It is derived from the given name Pitkä means 'long' in Finnish.

Variants and spellings of Pitkänen:

• Pitkanen

• Pitkäene

• Pitkääne

• Pitkään

• Pitkainen

• Pitkaine

• Pietkanen

• Pietkainen

• Pietkane

• Piitkainen

Surnames of the same origin:

• Ala-Pitkänen

• Heikkinen-Pitkänen

• Isokoski-Pitkänen

• Järvenpää-Pitkänen

• Kallio-Pitkänen

• Kangas-Pitkänen

• Katajamäki-Pitkänen

• Kekkonen-Pitkänen

• Kinnunen-Pitkänen

• Koivula-Pitkänen

• Koskinen-Pitkänen

• Kurki-Pitkänen

• Kuusisto-Pitkänen

• Lahti-Pitkänen

• Leppänen-Pitkänen

• Mänty-Pitkänen

• Mustonen-Pitkänen

• Niskanen-Pitkänen

• Nuottila-Pitkänen

• Oksala-Pitkänen

• Paavola-Pitkänen

• Puurunen-Pitkänen

• Salonen-Pitkänen

• Suomela-Pitkänen

• Takala-Pitkänen

• Tepponen-Pitkänen

• Tuppurainen-Pitkänen

• Turunen-Pitkänen

• Valtanen-Pitkänen

• Vähä-Pitkänen

• Ylitalo-Pitkänen

Famous people with the name PitkÄnen

• Jukka Pitkänen: a Finnish former football player who played as a defender and made four appearances for the Finland national team.
• Jyri Pitkänen: a retired skiing athlete who represented Finland in the 2010 Winter Olympics.
• Saara Aalto: a Finnish singer, songwriter, and television personality who rose to fame as the runner-up of the Finnish version of Idol in 2008 and came to international attention when she placed second in the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest.
• Anna Pitkänen: a Finnish freestyle skier recognized for her two bronze medals in the FIS Freestyle World Cup and her gold medal at the 2018 FIS Ski Slopestyle World Championships.
• Juhana Pitkänen: a Finnish writer and journalist known for his works like V ålöstenen and Det retliga småkotten, and the recipient of prestigious literary awards, such as Finland's Runeberg and Nordic Council prizes.
• Kaisa Pitkänen: a Finnish javelin thrower who won the bronze medal at the 2004 Olympics and silver medal at the 2006 European Athletics Championships.
• Taina Pitkänen: a Finnish ice hockey player who has represented her country on the international stage at all levels, the most recent being the 2019 Women's World Championship.
• Tuula Pitkänen: a Finnish television presenter and journalist, best known for her works on MTV3's Uutisvuoto, a weekly current affairs show.
• Eero Pitkänen: a Finnish bass guitar player known for his work with the Dr. Living Dead! band and his collaborations with metal acts, such as Moonsorrow, Swallow the Sun, and Ghost Brigade.

Other surnames

PaalPaalenPaalsPaandiPaapPaapePaaschPaaschePaaschenPaavilainenPabstPäbstPabstmannPabusPacaciPaceleyPacettiPacettyPachPachecoPachicoPachmannPachmayerPachmayrPachtelPachtellPachterPächterPaciecco