Surname Drehsen - Meaning and Origin
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Drehsen: What does the surname Drehsen mean?
The last name Drehsen is a German locational name, derived from the town of Drehsen in Lower Saxony, Germany. Drehsen was first mentioned in writing in the year 938, when it was recorded as a settlement of free peasants. The name is derived from the German root drehen, meaning “to turn” or “to twist”.
The name Drehsen was likely the name of those who lived in or near this settlement, acting as a distinguishing surname for those native to the area. As many of the German inhabitants throughout history were known by the names of their birthplaces, the meaning of the last name Drehsen literally translates to “one from Drehsen”.
Prior to the industrialization, those with the last name Drehsen were primarily involved in farming and other agricultural activities. As industry grew in the 19th century, many Drehsen's left farming and manufacturing became their main mode of employment.
Today, those with the last name Drehsen are dispersed throughout the world, though many still live in Germany. Those with the last name Drehsen are proud of their heritage, tracing their family roots back to the small farming and agricultural town in Lower Saxony, Germany.
Order DNA origin analysisDrehsen: Where does the name Drehsen come from?
The last name Drehsen is a German-origin surname. While it is more common in Germany, it is now found throughout Europe, particularly in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and France. It is also found in some parts of the United States where individuals from these countries have immigrated.
In Germany, the name is most commonly found in the northern and central regions of the country, in cities such as Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Hanover, and Cologne. Within these cities, the highest concentration of the name is to be found in eastern Berlin and western Hamburg.
In the Netherlands, the name Drehsen is most commonly found in Noord-Holland, Utrecht, Zuid-Holland, and Overijssel, as well as in some parts of Belgium and Luxembourg. In France, it is mainly concentrated in the Rhône-Alpes region, particularly in the towns of Grenoble and Valence.
Lastly, in the United States, the name is not particularly common, but is found in small numbers in a variety of states, primarily those in the Northeast and Midwest like California, New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Michigan.
Variations of the surname Drehsen
The surname Drehsen is derived from the Germanic roots of 'drehen', meaning 'to turn', and 'sen', indicating 'son of'. It has a range of variants and alternate spellings, including Dröhsen, Drehser, Droehsener, Drehsen, Drahsen, Drehsenner, Draehsen, and Drehser.
In some Germanic speaking countries, the surname can be found in the form ‘Drahse’. In Switzerland, it can also be found as ‘Drahse’, and in Austria, ‘Drehser’. In Germany proper, it is often recorded with the spelling ‘Drehsen’. The surname can also be found in the Netherlands as ‘Drehsenner’.
Other variants also exist. The forms ‘Droehsener’ and ‘Dröhsen’, often found in the Northern Germany, are derived from Old German forms of the surname, chiefly because of regional pronunciation differences. In the USA, the surname is often recorded as ‘Driggs’ or ‘Driggers’, derived from the spelling ‘Draig’, found in Germany.
Despite the range of spelling variants, the origin of the surname remains the same, derived from the Old German roots of ‘drehen’ and ‘sen’. It is a common surname found in all German-speaking countries, as well as the USA.
Famous people with the name Drehsen
- Ajahn Brahmali Drehsen: a German-born Buddhist monk, Meditation teacher, and author.
- Ubbo Drehsen: a German-born geographer, cartographer, pedologist, and soil science teacher.
- Karl Drehsen: a German economist and business theorist.
- Adam Drehsen: a German composer and violin virtuoso.
- Michael Drehsen, a German music promoter and television host.
- Reinhard Drehsen: a German-born professor of History and Political Science.
- Jürgen Drehsen: a German-born sculptor and installation artist.
- Steffen Drehsen: a Dutch-born sports journalist.
- Heather Drehsen: a German-born songwriter and music producer.
- Tamara Drehsen: a German-born singer-songwriter and TV host.
Other surnames
Comments or additions to the name "Drehsen"
03.03.2024
It seems like most of this information is erroneous.