Surname Lohken - Meaning and Origin

Lohken: What does the surname Lohken mean?

The last name Lohken is a German surname derived from the word ‘loh’ meaning ‘rye’. This would suggest that the bearers of the name were involved in rye farming and this is the likely origin of the name.

Rye was a common grain crop in Central and Northern Europe in the medieval and early modern period and it was grown for grain, animal fodder, and bread. As such, it would be an important part of the rural economy. The Lohken family members were probably farmers who grew rye and other grains and this was likely their main source of income.

The Lohken surname is also associated with several different place names. In Germany, there is a heritage site called the Lohkenburg Castle which was founded in the 11th century and is still standing today. This might indicate that the Lohkens were one of the various noble families who owned and ruled the area at one point.

The surname Lohken has also been linked to two other German locations, namely the town of Loaken and the Lohon Cliff in the Black Forest. Both may have served as points of origin or as places of residence for the family.

The Lohken surname is believed to have first appeared in the mid-to-late 12th century and the family would likely have had German origins. Over the years, members of the family would have likely spread across Europe, leaving their descendants to be found in countries such as France, England, and the United States.

Lohken: Where does the name Lohken come from?

The last name Lohken is of German origin and is most commonly found in Germany and throughout northern Europe. It is also found in some parts of the United States as well as Canada and South Africa.

In modern Germany, the last name Lohken is most commonly found in the states of Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate, Baden-Wurttemberg and Bavaria. It is less common in other parts of the country but can still be found.

In the United States, the most common places to find the name are Texas, Minnesota, New Jersey, California, and Illinois, although it is not widely spread across the country.

In Canada, it is found mostly in Ontario and British Columbia, and in South Africa mostly in the Western Cape province.

The name Lohken is most often derived from certain German occupational surnames relating to locksmiths, smiths, or fiddlers. It can also be found associated with the surnames Lowam and Lauken, which have the same or similar roots.

Overall, the last name Lohken is common enough to find in parts of Europe, the US, Canada, and South Africa. Spelling variations of the name might vary slightly depending on the region.

Variations of the surname Lohken

The surname Lohken is believed to have derived either from Lowland Scots or Germanic origins. Lowland Scots spellings of the surname include Loughan, Loughin and Loughun, while Germanic versions include Loken, Lokken and Locken.

In early Lowland Scotland, the Lohken spelling was generally used by those of the Scottish Borders region, with many Lohken’s living in Lanarkshire, Roxburghshire and Selkirkshire. Since then, several variations of the surname have emerged with many dwellings still to be found in areas such as the Borders and the surrounding areas.

The surname is also popular in the United States, usually having been changed to Loken upon entry into the country. Variations of the surname, such as Locken and Loughan, have also been seen in some areas.

The spelling of the surname could also be dependent on a person’s location and each branch of the Lohken family tree could therefore spell the surname differently.

Common alternate spellings and surnames of Lohken include Locken, Loken, Loughan, Loughin, Lokken and Loughun, to name a few.

Whether you are researching the Lohken name or names with similar spellings and origins, doing further research on the branches of a family tree and location could reveal various spellings of the same surname name.

Famous people with the name Lohken

• Jeffrey Lohken: Dutch/American musician, composer, and producer
• Ruby Lohken: British-born American voice actress
• Rob Lohken: American television producer
• Stacy Lohken: American actress and screenwriter
• Peter Lohken: Austrian architect and professor
• Ernie Lohken: Danish Olympic rower
• Viktor Lohken: Finnish cross-country skier
• Hans Lohken: German World War II naval officer and researcher
• Jesper Lohken: Danish competitive sailor
• Renatus Lohken: Estonian chess player and journalist

Other surnames

Lohkemper