Surname Göttken - Meaning and Origin

Göttken: What does the surname Göttken mean?

The German surname Göttken is an occupational surname derived from the word "Gott" meaning God. This suggests that the original bearer of the name likely had a professions related to the church or had a responsibility to represent and uphold its teachings. It may also have in some cases been used as a nickname for someone who was regarded as being zealous for the church and its causes.

The Göttkens are usually found in Sürth, a small town in North Rhine-Westphalia, in and around the Rhineland-Palatinate area, though they can also be found throughout Germany and many other parts of Europe.

Those with the Göttken surname share a common ancestor, likely someone who lived during the late middle ages or early modern times. It is likely they were farmers, bakers, or blacksmiths as those are common occupations at the time for people living in the Rhineland-Palatinate.

It is likely that the Göttken family have remained a tight-knit and close family over the centuries. This would have helped to build strong family ties and a strong sense of identity, providing a strong foundation for generations of Göttkens to come.

Göttken: Where does the name Göttken come from?

The last name Göttken is most common in Germany today, especially in the west and north of the country. This is due to the long history of migration to the area. Although it is most often found in Germany, the last name also has been found in some other countries. For example, Göttken has been recorded in countries like Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, the United States and Canada.

In Germany, the Göttken surname is derived from the Ancient Germanic first name “Gottgaud”, which translates to “God pledge”. This indicates that the people with the surname have a family history of worshipping God, which, over the centuries, has evolved into a form of Christianity.

The Göttken surname is most common in the Federal states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony. This is most likely because these states share a border, and it is thought that people migrated between them in search of better living conditions and more job opportunities.

The Göttken surname has been recorded in documents that date back to the 16th century, indicating that people with this surname have been living in Germany for centuries. It is likely that people with the last name Göttken will remain in Germany for many more years to come.

Variations of the surname Göttken

The surname Göttken is typically associated with German and Danish/ Scandinavian regions and is thought to be of an occupational origin, denoting one who is a priest to the local gods. The surname can take many different forms depending on the region, dialect, or spelling preferences of an individual or family.

Variants of the surname Göttken include Götten, Gotten, Gettken, Gottenkuhn, Gatten, Goetken, Goeteken, Gooten, Guttken, Guteken, Kotken, Kotkuhn, Gutten, Gatten, and Gotte.

In Germany, spellings of Göttken may also include the abbreviated form Gottk, Gotk, or Gutk.

Because of the many different spellings that may be used, other surnames could be derived from this original spelling and could sound similar or look like Göttken. These surnames may include Gotkin, Gottkan, Goodkin, Godder, Gorden, Gottwend, Gaden, Guden, and Gadens.

To find further information about the Göttken surname, one should consider researching records in the region associated with the origin of the surname, such as German and Danish census records and church records that may list baptisms, marriages, and burials. Documentation such as wills, military records, passenger records, and immigration records may also contain information about the Göttken surname.

Famous people with the name Göttken

• Paul Paulus Göttken (German music industry pioneer and CEO of the German music company, Lied der Zeit GmbH).
• Heinrich Göttken (German mathematician and physicist).
• Otto Göttken (German jurist and anti-Nazi politician).
• Friedrich August Göttken (German architect who designed many notable buildings in Germany, primarily in Hanover).
• Hans Göttken (German photographer and visual artist).
• Michael Göttken (German journalist and editor who was active in the 1950s and 1960s).
• Eric Göttken (German sports journalist and archivist).
• Dietrich Göttken (German philosopher, theologian and dissertation coach).
• Richard Göttken (German Protestant pastor, theologian and hymnographer).
• Matthias Göttken (German entrepreneur and founder of the MartheundGöttken consulting agency).
• Norbert Göttken (German entrepreneur who created numerous innovative businesses such as Artware, Autos, and Bau- und Kreditwesen).
• Friedrich Wilhelm Göttken (German medical doctor and author who wrote several books on the subject of medicine and health).
• Rudolf Göttken (German painter who primarily created landscape paintings in naturalistic styles).
• Angelika Göttken (German writer, critic, and author of numerous novels and stories).
• Horst Göttken (German lawyer and longtime professor at the University of Bonn).

Other surnames

Göttke