Surname Bösen - Meaning and Origin

Bösen: What does the surname Bösen mean?

The last name Bösen is a German surname with German-Slavic origins. The 'Bö' in the name likely originates from the German word böse, which means "evil" or "wicked". The suffix “sen” likely links the individual to a place of residence, as is common in many European surnames.

It is thought that the name may have had a negative connotation, as it could imply that the individual’s ancestors engaged in malicious behavior or carried out deeds considered “evil” at the time. This is especially possible since the name comes from a region that was known for its tumultuous and continually shifting borders, where disputes often erupted between provinces, family clans and colonies.

In most western countries today, the name Bösen is viewed as a simple connection to one’s family history and cultural heritage. It does not necessarily indicate any ill feelings or negative characteristics associated with its origins.

Those who bear this surname may find it interesting to research their own family history to see which region their ancestors first settled and the potential reasons why the surname Bösen was chosen.

Bösen: Where does the name Bösen come from?

The last name Bösen is an old German name which is uncommon today, though it is still found in Germany and other parts of Europe. In Germany specifically, the last name Bösen is most commonly seen in the northern region of Schleswig-Holstein, where it is mostly concentrated in the villages around Eckernförde. From there, it has spread throughout the entire nation, as well as to other German-speaking countries like Austria and Switzerland.

Outside of Europe, the last name Bösen has spread to North America, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. These descendants mostly trace their ancestry back to German and Dutch immigrants who brought the name with them during the 19th and 20th centuries. In the United States specifically, the last name Bösen is primarily found in the Midwest states, with the highest concentrations being in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana.

The Bösen family is likely linked to the old Bösch family of Schleswig-Holstein, whose surname evolved to Bösen over time. The Böses can be traced as far back as the 1400s, when they were first mentioned in records. However, the exact origin of the name is still unclear as there are no records of where it may have come from before then.

Today, the Bösen surname is still most commonly found in German-speaking countries. It is a relatively uncommon name, though, so seeing it outside of these areas is still rare.

Variations of the surname Bösen

The surname Bösen has a variety of different spellings and surnames that are derived from the same origin. It is likely that the origin of this surname is from the German word “böse” which means “bad” or “evil”.

The primary variant of the surname is in its original German spelling, Bösen. The most popular alternative spellings of this name are Beusen and Boessens. In some cases, the ö (o with umlaut) can be written as “oe”, so one might also see Bosens or Beusens.

When translated into other languages, the surname can morph into other surnames as well. The surnames Boezen and Bosna, for example, are derived from the Dutch word böze which means the same as the German word. In French, the surname might become Bessen, as the French equivalent of the German word is mauvais.

When an immigrant with the surname Bösen settled in a different country, they might have changed their surname slightly to better fit the local language or spelling conventions. For example, someone with this surname might have changed it to Beason, Besson, Beebe, Boose, Boos, Boswell, or Buckley. In some cases, the spelling might be further obscured by phonetic spelling, leading to variant surnames such as Bensen, Bucesen, Boussen, Bosan, or Bowser.

Overall, the surname Bösen has a variety of different variants, spellings, and derivations. As long as the word “böse” is at the origin, it can be expected that other surnames can be derived from it.

Famous people with the name Bösen

• Thilo Bösen: Thilo is a German actor who has appeared in several films and television series including Alles Klara, Die Harald Schmidt Show, and Letzte Spur Berlin.
• Selina Bösen: Selina is a German singer, songwriter, and musician who has released three albums and has written songs for musical theater productions.
• Lina Bösen: Lina is a German model and television presenter, best known for her appearances on the ProSieben game show The Voice of Germany. She has been featured in several fashion campaigns for brands like Dior and Hugo Boss.
• Michael Bösen: Michael is a German painter, sculptor, and author who is known for his large-scale works combining various media such as wood, steel, and clay. His work has been exhibited around the world.
• Jörg Bösen: Jörg is a German professional football player who has played for teams in the Bundesliga, the German Cup, and the UEFA Cup. He is currently a free agent.
• Dominik Bösen: Dominik is a German former footballer who played for several teams in the Bundesliga and in the UEFA Cup.
• Sebastian Bösen: Sebastian is a German actor, known for his appearances in films such as Good Bye Lenin!, Fack ju Göhte, and Who Am I.
• Erik Bösen: Erik is a German former tennis player who was a finalist at the ATP Challenger Chur in 1997.
• Bernd Bösen: Bernd is a German producer, working with artists like Lady Gaga, Mark Ronson, and Rudimental. He has won several awards for his work.
• Matthias Bösen: Matthias is a German professional long-distance runner who has competed in the European, World, and Olympic long-distance running events.

Other surnames

BösendörferBösener