Surname Bickener - Meaning and Origin
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Bickener: What does the surname Bickener mean?
The origin and meaning of the last name Bickener is unclear but it has been suggested that it is German in origin. Some sources suggest that it is derived from ‘bicken’, meaning ‘to bite’, and points to an occupational name given to someone who may have been a professional biter, such as a blacksmith. Alternatively, some claim the origin of the name has nothing to do with biting and is actually derived from the German personal name de Bicke, which is derived from the Old German word ‘bicke’, meaning ‘pricker’. This suggests that the name was originally given to someone who was a ‘pricker’, which is a device used for engraving or embroidering materials.
The Bickener name may also be Dutch in origin, derived from the Middle Dutch words 'Bickari' and 'Bicker', which mean 'worker in an iron forge'. This once again could point to early descendants of this surname being employed as blacksmiths.
Given the various possible origins of the Bickener surname, in its current form it is likely to be a derivation of two or more of these names. Many people bearing the Bickener name have been traced living in Germany, yet very few can be traced living in other countries. This may point to the name being more prolific in certain areas of the world.
Despite the different suggested origins of the surname, it is likely that those bearing the name Bickener share an ancient and common ancestral origin. By discovering more about where the Bickener name originated and who people of this surname descended from, more can be revealed about this intriguing family name.
Order DNA origin analysisBickener: Where does the name Bickener come from?
The last name Bickener is most commonly found throughout Germany. Bickener is derived from the Old German word “bicken” meaning “to bark.” As such, it is likely associated with someone who had a loud voice and/or was employed in a position where loud alerts or commands needed to be made. Bickener is also found in smaller numbers in Austria, Switzerland, and the United States.
In Germany, Bickener is most prevalent in the states of Bavaria, Schleswig-Holstein, Saxony, Berlin, and Hamburg. It is also found in the German regions of Friesland, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Thuringia.
In the United States, the far majority of Bickener families are found in Pennsylvania. They are also present in much smaller numbers in Illinois, Ohio, and other states in the Midwest, as well as states along the East Coast such as New York and Massachusetts.
The Bickener name is not common today, however it is very likely that many individuals of this name still exist, albeit in small numbers. They may be descendants of early German immigrants who arrived in the United States during the 1700s and 1800s, or those who adopted the German name upon emigration.
Variations of the surname Bickener
The surname Bickener is of German origin, and its variants can be spelled as Bicherner, Bickenar, Bickerner, Bickelnar, Bickelner, Bickernar and Bickernor.
The first known bearers of the Bickener surname originated in Bavaria, a state located in southern Germany. This surname derived from the Germanic words ‘bik’, meaning ‘box’ or ‘wooden container’ and ‘ner’ which translates to ‘maker’ or ‘someone who creates something’. Hence, the original Bickener family was likely to have been involved in woodworking and cabinetry.
The variant spellings of Bickener are most likely derived from either spelling errors or regional pronunciations as the surname was carried to various parts of Germany. Immigrants also likely modified their surname upon arriving in new countries, which could explain why there are so many variants.
Other surnames of the same origin are Bickenhoff, Bickerman, Bickert, Bickerton, Bicket, Bickler and Bickley. These are likely derived from similar German words or combinations of words. For example, Bickert could be derived from ‘bik’ and ‘hert’, meaning ‘box’ and ‘strong’.
The Bickener surname today is found across various countries in Europe, North America and Australia. It is still relatively common in Germany and the United States, although its variants can also be found in France, Switzerland, Netherlands and other countries.
Famous people with the name Bickener
- Bill Bickner: American radio personality
- Michael Bickener: American professional baseball player
- Robert Bickener: German field hockey player
- Svetlana Bickener: Belarusian beauty contestant
- Chris Bickener: Former professional tennis player
- Kathleen Bickener: US Air Force veteran and Women's Army Corps veteran
- Robert Bickener Jr.: Former professor at Pacific Lutheran University
- Joe Bickener, American film producer and director
- Nicholas Bickener: former banker and director of investments
- Alfred Bickener: German actor and theater director