Surname Wilcken - Meaning and Origin

Wilcken: What does the surname Wilcken mean?

Wilcken is a German surname deriving from the Low German nickname "Wulke", which derived from the Old Germanic name Wulfern. It referred to someone of wolf-like characteristics, such as being strong, brave and loyal. Over time, this name eventually became Wilcken.

Wilcken is primarily found throughout northern Germany and the Netherlands. It is an occupational surname, indicating that the originators of the name were employed in some capacity related to wolf hunting.

Wilcken families have a rich history in Germany, with records that date back to the 13th century. The Wilcken family has been recognized by the German government for contributions to the country’s growth, defense or social reform.

Today, Wilcken is still used as a surname throughout Germany, the Netherlands, and other parts of Europe. For any Germans with the last name Wilcken, there is an established city located in the Wittenberg region of Saxony-Anhalt, known as Wilken.

The legacy of the Wilcken family in Germany and other parts of Europe remains strong, and is a reminder of the courage and loyalty of those that bore the name before.

Wilcken: Where does the name Wilcken come from?

The last name Wilcken is most commonly found today in Germany and the Netherlands. It is a very old German surname, first appearing in the 13th century, and derives from the given name Wilcke. During the 1500s, there was a large migration of Wilcken families from Germany to the Netherlands.

Other countries where the Wilcken surname can be found include Denmark, Belgium, France, and the United States. In the United States, the Wilcken surname is primarily found in states that had large numbers of German immigrants during the 19th century, such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Iowa. In recent decades, due to the ease of travel and immigration, Wilckens have become more widely distributed all over the country.

As of 2020, there are no longer any Wilckens living in Germany, reflecting the continuing movement of people across the world. However, it is still found in the other countries discussed, especially in the Netherlands where many Wilcken families have lived for centuries. The Wilcken surname is still a symbol of German heritage, and it is likely to remain an important part of the families who carry it for many generations to come.

Variations of the surname Wilcken

Wilcken is a German surname of patronymic origin that is derived from a German personal name with the same spelling. Variations of this surname include Wilckens, Wilkens, Wilkenson, Wilkingson, Wilkenson, and Wilkisson. It is sometimes encountered as a variant form of the Westphalian name Willkens, which also originated from the same German personal name.

In medieval times, as surnames came into wider use, Wilcken adopted various spellings as scribes tended to spell surnames phonetically. As a result, today Wilcken may also appear in other spellings such as Wilck, Wilckin, Wilcken, Wilckes, Wilckens, Wilkens, Wielcken, Willcke, Wilket, Wilkett, Wilkenson, Wilkest, Wilkin, Wilkinger, Wilkingson, Wilkinsson, Wilkins, Wilkinsen, Wilkison, Wilks, Wilkson, Wilku, Wilkuna and Wylcken.

Wilcken is found mostly in western Germany, where it ranks#121 as the most common surname. It is also one of the most well-known surnames in the United States, where it was carried to by German immigrants in the 19th century. Furthermore, it is also somewhat common in Australia and Canada, where branches of the Wilcken family have settled in recent centuries.

There are also notable variations and other forms of the Wilcken surname, including Wilckensdorff, Wilckenmeier, Wilckening, Wilecke, Wilke, Wilken, Wilkenson, Wilkuck, Wilikson and Willcken.

Famous people with the name Wilcken

• Baron Wilcken: Baron Wilcken was a Norwegian attorney and diplomat, most recently serving as the Norwegian Ambassador to the United Kingdom.
• Florian Wilcken: Florian Wilcken is a German sculptor, writer, and curator focusing on digital media art and its relations to visual culture.
• Pierre Wilcken: Pierre Wilcken is a Dutch diplomat and current Chairman of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), a multinational organization based in Vienna.
• Belinda Wilcken: Belinda Wilcken is an Australian photographer and photojournalist, noted for her work in documenting social issues in Australia and South East Asia.
• Michael Robert Wilcken: Michael Robert Wilcken is a U.S. Army writer and former U.S. Air Force major who is currently retired.
• Lee Wilcken: Lee Wilcken is an American photographer, landscape designer, and urban conservationist.
• Chris Wilcken: Chris Wilcken is a musician who has composed background scores for the video game Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney and for the film Based on the Pieces.
• Willy Wilcken: Willy Wilcken was a German breed horse riding instructor, judge, equestrian coach and mentor; he is well-known for his book The Essential of Modern Dressage.
• Fred Wilcken: Fred Wilcken was a German radio broadcaster and a member of the editorial staff of the influential "Revue" literary magazine, based in Berlin.
• Ute Wilcken: Ute Wilcken is a German historian, noted for her works on social history and gender studies.

Other surnames

WilckeWilckensWilcks