Surname Poten - Meaning and Origin
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Poten: What does the surname Poten mean?
The last name Poten is a Germanic patronymic name derived from the given name "Pot". The personal name "Pot" is thought to be derived from an Old German root meaning "power/powerful". Therefore, the surname Poten essentially means "descendant of Pot".
The earliest record of the Poten surname dates back to the 16th century in the German regions of Bavuria and the Palatinate. In Germany, the Poten surname was found mainly in Southern and Eastern Germany, along with some instances in Central and Northern Germany. As people with the Poten surname migrated to different parts of the world, it became more widespread.
Many of the earliest Potens found their way to the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, mainly from Germany and the Netherlands. Within the United States, the Poten surname is make up the majority of its population within the states of New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania.
Perhaps due to its Germanic roots, many members of the Poten surname are proud of their heritage and continue to celebrate traditions passed down from their ancestors. The Potens are known for their hardworking nature and their passion for a strong work ethic. Traditionally, the Potens have been a large close knit family, often coming together to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and other significant occasions. Overall, the Poten surname is a great example of a traditional Germanic name which has been carried over generations and continues to live on.
Order DNA origin analysisPoten: Where does the name Poten come from?
The last name Poten is most commonly found in the Netherlands. Poten is derived from the Dutch word 'poten', meaning 'to thrust', suggesting that the original bearer of the name was someone who was strong and robust in manner. In the Netherlands today, there are more than 8,000 people with the Poten surname.
The Poten family can also be found in other parts of Europe, such as Germany, France and Belgium, but numbers are much smaller there. In Germany, there are about 1,000 people with the Poten name, and in France and Belgium only a few hundreds.
In recent years, many members of the Poten family have left Europe to settle in North America, Australia, and other parts of the New World. This has resulted in a much larger presence of Poten’s in the Americas and many more people with the Poten name. For example, in the United States there are now around 30,000 people with the last name Poten.
Overall, the surname Poten is mostly associated with the Netherlands, however with the spread of migration over time, the Poten family is now well represented in many other countries all over the world.
Variations of the surname Poten
Poten is an English surname of French origins. It originated from the Old French word 'potence' meaning 'scaffold'. The surname first appeared in the 12th century in England where it gained popularity. The variants of Poten include Poton, Potter, Poter, Poten, Potten, Potton, and Potts. There are also other spellings like Peten, Poten, Pooten, and Potan.
The surname is most commonly found in Britain, especially in Lancashire and Yorkshire. The Poten family was well-established in Lancashire during the 16th century and can be found in records from that time. It is also recorded in Ireland with the Potts family being one of the earliest.
The family is associated with a variety of professions, including blacksmiths, squires and laborers. However, the most popular occupation in the family was as a carpenter. The Potens were particularly skilled carpenters and were well regarded for their workmanship. The Poten family also had strong links with the brewing industry, owning some of the most successful breweries in England during the 17th and 18th centuries.
The Poten family was a well-established and respected family in England. Their success was mainly attributed to their dedication and hard work. The Potens are still a respected family today and their name can be seen in many places in Britain and around the world.
Famous people with the name Poten
- Martha Poten: 25 year old three-time inductee into the United States Ski Hall of Fame, winner of 44 national titles, and six-time FIS World Cup champion in Alpine skiing.
- Eric Poten: internationally renowned peace activist, TEDx speaker and award-winning author.
- David Poten: multi-award-winning American jazz pianist, composer and producer.
- Tony Poten: former vice president of global human resources for Johnson & Johnson.
- Munroe Poten: French-born physicist, author, and chemical engineer who was a pioneer in laser technology.
- Alice Poten: Belgian-born opera singer, known for her vibrato-rich soprano voice and unsurpassed stage presence.
- Gia Poten: award-winning American chef, restaurateur, and cookbook author, best known for her culinary exploration of classic Italian cuisine.
- Ben Poten: German-born businessman, known for his Luxury Swiss watches that combine art, technology, and engineering.
- Simon Poten: Emmy Award-winning American cinematographer, best known for his groundbreaking special effects for feature films and commercials.
- Patience Poten: award-winning American film director and scriptwriter, best known for her sophisticated and dark films that explore the inner human condition.