Surname Been - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'B'
Been: What does the surname Been mean?
The surname Been is of Dutch origin and it is primarily used in Netherlands. The name is derived from the Dutch word "Been" which translates to "leg" in English. So essentially, the surname Been refers to the occupation of the individuals who were probably involved in professions related to legs such as leg surgeon, craftsman, shoe-maker or a leg armor maker in the Medieval periods. Additionally, it could potentially refer to a physical characteristic of the individual, implying that they had notably distinct legs. As with any surname, the specific origin and meaning can vary greatly depending on family history and regional usage, hence these are only general interpretations.
Order DNA origin analysisBeen: Where does the name Been come from?
The last name Been is of Dutch origin. In Dutch, its meaning can be varied including 'without', 'been (leg)' or 'have been.' It might have been occupational, possibly referring to someone who was a trader or merchant, or it could refer to a physical characteristic of the original bearer. Despite its Dutch origin, it is not common in the Netherlands today.
Currently, this surname is found more frequently in the United States rather than in its country of origin. According to data from Forebears, the last name Been is mainly found in the United States, coming in as the 25,105th most common surname, but it is most prevalent in Australia where it is ranked as the 23,930th most common surname. It is also found, to a lesser extent, in Canada, Belgium, and England.
Variations of the surname Been
The surname Been has several variants, spellings, and related surnames that derive from the same origin or sound similar. The most common variant is "Bean", which is also the typical Scottish spelling. In England, the spelling "Benn" is often used. Other variants include "Bain", "Bayn", "Bane", "Bayne", "Bainn", and "Baine".
Additionally, some surnames may derive from the same root due to regional phonetic variations. These include "Bein", "Beyn", "Byne", and "Biehn".
The spelling could also change when a prefix is added, like "MacBean", “MacBain”, or "MacBayne", common in Scottish tradition indicating "son of". Dutch and German versions might include "Van Been", "Van Der Been", or "Von Bien".
Sometimes it could also be "O'Bein/ O'Bean", used primarily in Irish tradition.
It's important to note that these surnames can have different meanings and origins despite their similar spellings. For instance, "Bean" is often linked to the Gaelic "beathain", meaning "life". Alternatively, in Dutch, "Been" means “leg”.
Understanding the cultural and geographical contexts from which surnames emerge can help decipher their connections to each other.
Famous people with the name Been
- Michael Been: An American musician primarily known as the lead vocalist of The Call. He also had a side career as an actor.
- Robert Been: Son of Michael Been and also a musician. He is part of the rock band Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.
- Jordan Michael Been: An American basketball player who played in various international leagues.
- Gerrit Jan Been: A Dutch novelist.
- Robert Levon Been (same as Robert Been): An American musician and member of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.
- Nick Been: An American football player who played college football at the University of Kentucky.
- Jillian Been: A beauty queen who competed in the 2014 Miss USA pageant representing Missouri.
- Adri Been: A Dutch footballer who played for FC Groningen and the Netherlands national team during the 1960s and 1970s. Note that the popularity and recognition of these names can vary, with some being well-known within their respective fields, and others being less prominent on a broader scale.