Surname Larken - Meaning and Origin

Larken: What does the surname Larken mean?

The surname Larken is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic term "O'Lorcain" which translates to 'descendant of Lorcán’. Lorcán is a personal name meaning 'little fierce one.' Therefore, the last name Larken historically refers to the descendants of a person named Lorcán, who was presumably known for his fierceness. It should be noted that the spelling of surnames can change over generations and can have different variants. In this case, Larken could also be spelled as Larkin, Lorcan, or Lorkin in different regions or families. Like many surnames, the exact origins and meanings can be hard to trace, as they can be influenced by factors such as region, language, or family history.

Larken: Where does the name Larken come from?

The surname Larken is of Anglo-Saxon origin and primarily found in England. This last name is derived from the Old English personal name "Larkin," a diminutive of "Lawrence." Lawrence stems from the Latin "Laurentius" meaning "man from Laurentum," a town in Italy. Over time, 'Lawrence' transformed into 'Lark' through the diminutive 'Larkin' and further to 'Larken' with the addition of the suffix 'en' denoting ‘son of.’

This surname started appearing around the early 13th century in medieval records. An early record of the surname Larken is found in the 1273 Hundred Rolls of Norfolk, where Robert Larkyn is registered. The popularity of the name saw variances such as Larkin, Larking, Larke, Larken and numerous others over time and regions.

Today, this surname is common across several English-speaking countries including the United States, Australia, England, and Canada. It is most prevalent in the United States followed by England. Despite its origins, the surname Larken isn’t among the most common surnames in England today.

Variations of the surname Larken

The surname Larken has a number of different variants and spellings, often differing depending on the geographical location and period in which the name was used. Variations include Larkin, Larkan, Larcom, Larcome, Larkeen, Larcon, Lorkin, and Lorken.

The surname can also have different prefixes, for instance, McClarkin and O'Larkin, popular in Ireland. In some cases, the name may have been Anglicized or altered upon immigration, with additions of 's' or other letters leading to surnames such as Larkins, Larkenson, or Larkenstern.

The surname Larken is of Irish origin, deriving from the Gaelic "Lorcán" which means "fierce". It's related to the surnames Lorcan and Lorcán in its native form. Other related surnames from the same origin include O’Lorcain, O'Lorkin, O'Larkin and O'Lorcain, which were often Anglicized to Larken.

As such, the surname Larken can be considered part of a family of surnames, each branching off from the same root but changing and adapting to fit different languages and cultures over time.

Famous people with the name Larken

• Evan Larken: Evan Larken is an American actor and producer best known for his work on films such as The Hangover Part III and The Last Witch Hunter.
• Sam Larken: Sam Larken is a British musician, best known as the lead singer of the indie-rock band The Courteeners.
• Clayton Larken: Clayton Larken is a Canadian actor and director, best known for his lead role in the short film Break Our Chains.
• Ian Larken: Ian Larken is an American writer and producer, perhaps best recognized for his work on the Emmy-nominated television series, Unhappily Ever After.
• James Larken: James Larken is an American artist from Maryland. His work focuses on urban landscapes and architecture, and his artwork can be found in many galleries throughout the Washington, D.C. area.
• Rachel Larken: Rachel Larken is an American painter, noted for her evocative oil paint on canvas abstract and surrealist art.
• Bo Larken: Bo Larken is a Danish footballer, currently playing for the Greek club Panathinaikos F.C.
• Lucy Larken: Lucy Larken is an American actress, having played roles in films such as A Star is Born, The Big Sick and Bradley Cooper's A Quiet Place.

Other surnames

Larkens