Surname Remken - Meaning and Origin

Remken: What does the surname Remken mean?

The last name Remken is of German origin and is a habitational name, derived from a place called "Remken" which is now a part of the city of Oldenburg, Lower Saxony. The earliest documented use of this name dates back to the 13th century, when records of a Herman Remaker were found. It is likely that the name originated long before that as it was derived from a place name.

The literal meaning of the name “Remken” is not known, as Oldenburg was originally part of the Duchy of Saxony and the language spoken in the area prior to the 12th century was Old Saxon, a West Germanic language that has since become extinct. While it is not possible to pinpoint the exact meaning of the name, some believe that it likely contains the Germanic root “Rem” meaning “straight”, “right” or “firm”.

Therefore, the name Remken can be roughly interpreted to mean “the firm, right, or straight place”. The name is associated with ancestral Germanic traditions and signifies a sense of strength and stability. It is possible that the Remkens were a family of strong and determined warriors who made their home in the ancient settlement of Remken.

Today, the Remkens are a well-distributed surname, primarily found in Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, and the United States. Those carrying the Remken name can take pride in it’s rich heritage and enjoy the knowledge that it symbolizes strength and stability.

Remken: Where does the name Remken come from?

The last name Remken is most commonly found in Germany, specifically in the northern region of the country. It is also found in other parts of Europe, especially in the Netherlands, and in small numbers in the United States.

In Germany, Remken is one of the top 1,000 most common surnames. It is most concentrated in the states of Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia, and its earliest records date back to the 17th century. The last name Remken is likely derived from a personal name, such as from the germanic words “ram” which means a 'crab,' and "ken," which is a diminutive. As such, Remken is a patronymic surname meaning “son of one named Ram or Rem.”

In the U.S., particularly in the Midwest, the Remken surname has been found since the late 19th century when German immigrants settled in the region. Following World War II, this surname was adopted by Americans of German heritage. Today, people with the last name Remken are found across the US, with the highest concentrations in the states of Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Texas.

The last name Remken is an uncommon but noble surname throughout the world, and with its German-Nordic origins serves to remind us of the journey many of our family names have taken in order to reach us today.

Variations of the surname Remken

The surname Remken is of German origin and derived from the Germanic words meaning 'power of the people'. It is an uncommon surname, but variants and alternate spellings of this name do exist. The most common variation of this surname is Remkin. Alternate spellings include Remekin, Remcken and Remkon. Additionally, surnames of similar origin and/or sound that might come from the same root also exist including Ramkin, Remkin, Rimmken and Remykin.

One of the earliest recorded recordings of the Remken surname is that of Peter Remkon, who was born in Waldmuhl, Hessen, Germany in 1651. His recorded profession was that of a miller. During the 1800s, Remkens began to emigrate to the United States, settling mainly in Pennsylvania and Virginia. By this point, the name had already changed to the more phonetically correct spelling of Remkin.

Most bearers of the Remken surname are now located in the United States, where the surname is primarily found in the states of Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Virginia. However, there are a handful of individuals with this name living in other countries, primarily in Canada and Germany. It is believed that the highest concentrations of Remkens exist in the United States due to immigration patterns and the preceding spelling changes.

Famous people with the name Remken

• Gabriella Remken: Gabriella Remken is a German skier who competed in the 2018 Winter Olympics. She finished 25th in the women's giant slalom event, her best finish at the Olympics.
• Hilard Remken: Hilard Remken was a German physicist, mathematician, and inventor of the electrometer, a device for measuring electrical potential.
• Kenneth Remken: Kenneth Remken is a German actor, best known for his role as Governor Frank in the television series, Angel From Hell.
• Liza Remken: Liza Remken is a German singer and songwriter. She's best known for her single "Wake Me Up", which reached number 5 on the German charts.
• Mark Remken: Mark Remken is a German attorney, and a former Member of the European Parliament from 2002 to 2004.
• Marianne Remken: Marianne Remken is a German actress, best known for her roles in TV series such as Emergency Room and the film, Rose of Berlin.
• Maximilian Remken: Maximilian Remken is a German rower, and winner of a gold medal at the 2017 European Championships.
• Oliver Remken: Oliver Remken is a German hockey player, and a member of the German national team. He's competed in two World Championships and won a bronze medal at the 2017 World Championships.
• Wolfgang Remken: Wolfgang Remken is a German banker and former Chairman of the Deutschen Bank.

Other surnames

Remke