Surname Volken - Meaning and Origin
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Rediscovering Heritage: A Journey through my Volken Family History via iGENEA DNA Test
Discovering my vibrant mosaic of ancestry through an iGENEA DNA test, the surname Volken has taken on a deepened significance that transcends borders and time, heightening my understanding of personal and familial identity.
P. Volken
read moreVolken: What does the surname Volken mean?
The last name Volken is of German origin and is derived from the German word “Volk”, meaning “people”. This surname can be traced back to medieval Germany, where it was commonly used to refer to a person’s family or community. The Volken surname was typically associated with a large extended family or tribal group that originated from the same ancestor.
The Volken name was popular among the early settlers of what is now the United States. Immigrants arrived in the New World with the surname and many of them settled in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan. The Volkens were often farmers or tradesmen in these areas.
Today, the Volken surname is still common in the United States and Germany. The name is commonly associated with a strong sense of community and family values. People with this last name often form immediate and close friendships, and usually express loyalty and dedication to their loved ones.
The Volken family has a long and proud history. Through their perseverance and dedication, the Volken family has been a cornerstone of the German and American societies for generations.
Order DNA origin analysisVolken: Where does the name Volken come from?
The last name Volken is a rare and uncommon last name. It is mostly found in certain parts of western Germany, Switzerland, and the French region of Alsace. It is not particularly widespread in any one area and can usually be found scattered in small isolated pockets throughout these countries.
In Germany it is most common in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Baden-Wurttemberg, and Rhineland-Palatinate. Likewise, in Switzerland it is most commonly found in the cantons of Aargau and Basel-Stadt. The Volken name is also present in certain parts of the Alsace region of France close to the border with Germany.
The name Volken originates from the Latin term 'vulcanus', which means 'smith'. It was used as a symbolic descriptor for those of the blacksmith trade and is still associated with the skilled craft today. It is believed to be a rare form of the much more common surname Volkmann.
Despite its relative rarity, the name Volken has been around for centuries and continues to be present in the genealogical records of many countries today.
Variations of the surname Volken
The surname Volken is a variation of the German surname Volksen. It is derived from the German word “volke”, which means “people”. In some instances, the surname can also be found spellings as Völken or Völcker. Variations in other languages include forms such as Volkens, Volkensen, and Völkens.
In the United States, the Volken surname is most common in the states of Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, and Iowa. The earliest records of the Volken surname in the United States date back to the mid-1800s.
Related surnames include Volks, Volmann, Volkeman, Volkmann, Volleman, Volkert, Walker, Volzer, Folkers, and Foulkes. While these surnames are not spelt the same, they are derived from the same German root word, “volke”, and usually have similar meanings.
The variants, spellings, and surnames of Volken are all rooted in the same Germanic word and have strong ties to early German immigration to the United States. Recognizing its variants and other related surnames can be helpful in tracing the history of the Volken surname and its many branches.
Famous people with the name Volken
- Dr. Thomas Volken: Swiss physician who pioneered progress in forensic science and psychiatry.
- Hugo Volken: Swiss ski mountaineer and expedition leader who was the first to climb the Matterhorn.
- Eugen Volken: Swiss economist who specialized in financial mathematics and economic theory.
- Urs Volken: Swiss sculptor whose works are found in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art, the Louvre, and other prestigious venues.
- Ruth Volken: German opera singer who performed at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City.
- Niklaus Volken: Swiss painter and animation director known for his short films and public art installations.
- Andrea Volken: Swiss skydiver who was the first woman to fly a wingsuit in 2010.
- Guido Volken: Swiss artist and filmmaker who was part of the team that created the Swiss animated classic, Der Lauf der Dinge (The Way Things Go).
- Cédric Volken: Swiss slalom skier who won a gold medal at the 2006 Winter Olympics.
- Heike Volken: Dutch journalist who was the first female correspondent for the Associated Press.