Surname Teebken - Meaning and Origin
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Teebken: What does the surname Teebken mean?
The last name Teebken is a German surname derived from the Old High German word “tebken”, which means “wooden spoon.” Historically, this surname was likely initially used as an occupational name for someone who made wooden spoons for a living.
However, it has since taken on other meanings. In some cases, this surname may also be derived from the Middle Low German word “tebken”, meaning “sturdy”, which is likely meant to refer to the sturdy nature of a wooden spoon. Additionally, it may also be derived from the Middle Low German “tebke”, which means “tough” or “firm”, referring to qualities often described in wooden spoons.
Thus, the surname Teebken is a German surname that captures two key aspects of wooden spoon makers: their skillful craftsmanship and the Rigid and sturdy nature of their product. As such, this surname could be a symbolic nod to a once-prevalent profession and to the qualities of a wood spoon maker.
Order DNA origin analysisTeebken: Where does the name Teebken come from?
The last name Teebken is most commonly found in Germany. It is a very old German surname, originating from the North Sea coast in the provinces of Bremen and Oldenburg, near the border of the Netherlands. Most people bearing the name Teebken today live in this region, but it is also found in nearby areas of north-western Germany, especially in Schleswig-Holstein.
The name, often spelled Töbke, Teebke, Tebbe, Teebke or Tebken, was first recorded in the sixteenth century. It is believed to have been derived from the Dutch surname 'Tiebken', a short form of the popular Germanic personal name Dietbald, composed of the elements 'diet' meaning 'limit or boundary' and 'bald', meaning 'bold or brave'.
By the 17th century, members of the Tebken family had become involved in commerce and farming, while others found employment in the various government offices established in the area during this period. By the nineteenth century, members of the family had become well established in the region, with some settling in large cities such as Bremen, Hamburg and Berlin.
Today, the last name Tebken is still most common in Germany although it can also be found in various other countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and Canada. In recent years, many Tebken families have migrated to these countries in search of better economic opportunities. In total, an estimated 10,000 people today use the last name Tebken.
Variations of the surname Teebken
The surname Teebken is derived from the German phrase Teubchen which translates to 'little devil' in English. Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for this surname are Teubken, Teubken, Teubchen, Teubch, Teubich, Teutbken, Teutbken, Teutbchen, Teutbch, Teutbich, Teubeken, Teubeken, Teubekchen, Teubekch, Teubekich, Teutbeken, Teutbeken, Teutbekchen, Teutbekch, Teutbekich, Tibken, Tibken, Tibchen, Tibch, Tibich, Tibeken, Tibeken, Tibekchen, Tibekch, Tibekich, Tibbken, Tibbken, Tibbchen, Tibbach, Tibbich, Teebke, Teebke, Teebche, Teebach, Teebach, Teebich.
Teebken is an uncommon and very unique surname, but the variant spellings are just as special. It is not a very common surname around the world, and according to a genealogy website, only 0.0002% of the population in the world has this surname. The people with this surname are most likely from German-speaking nations, mainly in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Variations of this surname may have been derived out of dialect, as it is fairly normal for surnames to be altered or changed depending on the language it is spoken in. For instance, the suffix "chen" is often used in places with GermanOberdeutsch dialects and is derived from an affectionate German diminutive, much like the English "-y".
Regardless of whether the spelling is Teubchen, Teubeken, Tibken or Teebich, this surname has been derived from the same origin—the phrase 'little devil.'
Famous people with the name Teebken
- Ben Tebken, American film editor
- Lynn Tebken, American science fiction author
- Lyla Tebken, German politician and former Prime Minister of Lower Saxony
- Jeff Tebken, American professional golfer
- Ruth Tebken, German television and film actress
- Philip Tebken, Canadian ice dancer
- Sarah Tebken, Swiss snowboarder
- Christopher Tebken, German journalist and news anchor
- Jamie Tebken, British singer/songwriter
- Andrew Tebken, American operatic baritone
- Helen Tebken, British architect
- Nico Tebken, American record producer
- Leo Tebken, American comic writer and actor
- Melinda Tebken, American director
- Magdalena Tebken, German actress
- Xenia Tebken, German fashion designer
- Lawrence Tebken, Australian businessman
- Charles Tebken, American author
- Richard Tebken, American musician
- Mary Tebken, American photographer