Surname Otten - Meaning and Origin
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M. Otten
read moreOtten: What does the surname Otten mean?
The surname Otten is of German origin and is believed to be derived from the personal name "Otto". The name Otto comes from the Old High German "Odalric", which means "prosperity and power". As a surname, Otten is considered patronymic, meaning it was likely originally used to convey "son of Otto". Over time, it evolved to become a family name carried by subsequent generations. The name Otten is prevalent in northern Germany, Netherlands, and in places where there has been German immigration. Variations of the name also exist, including Ottens, Ottenbacher, and Ottenberg. Due to the historical context, people bearing the surname Otten can often trace their ancestry back to Germany or the surrounding regions.
Order DNA origin analysisOtten: Where does the name Otten come from?
The last name Otten is commonly found throughout Western Europe, especially the German-speaking countries. It is most commonly found in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Austria.
The name Otten is believed to have originated in the German-speaking region of Europe, and was a commonly used name during the Middle Ages. At that time, most Germanic names were formed by combining two elements together. In the case of Otten, the first element was "Odt," meaning "spirit" or "ghost," and the second element was "Heim," meaning "home." Therefore, the literal translation of Otten would be "home of the spirit."
In more recent times, the name Otten has become more widespread, thanks largely to immigration from Europe to the United States, Canada, and Australia.
In the United States, the name Otten is particularly common in the Midwest, especially Wisconsin, where it ranks among the top 500 most common last names. It is also relatively common in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Florida.
In Canada, Otten is ranked as the 800th most common last name. The provinces with the highest concentration of individuals with the last name Otten are Manitoba, Alberta, and Ontario.
In Australia, the last name Otten is found mainly in the state of Victoria, where it is the 304th most common surname.
Despite its geographic variation, the last name Otten remains relatively uncommon.
Variations of the surname Otten
The surname Otten is of Dutch and German origin and is derived from a Middle Dutch personal name or nickname, Otton, which was a popular Short Form of Germanic names beginning with Aud-, meaning "prosperity" or "wealth".
Variants of the surname Otten include Othon, Ottem, Otting, Otter, Otterhagen, Otthagen, and Ottingen. Spelling variations include OTTON, OTHON, OTTEM, OTTING, OTTEN, OTTER, OTTERHAGEN, OTTHAGEN, and OTTINGEN.
Otten can also appear as a patronymic surname which arose from the given name. Patronymic variants of Otten include Ottenkamp, Ottendijck, Ottenhoven, Ottensoos, and Ottenbosch.
Othewidely used abbreviated forms of the surname Otten include OT, OTAN, OTEN, and OTTAN. These may be used for both given names and surnames, or as surnames without the given name.
Otten is also found in the United States, primarily associated with immigrants from Germany, The Netherlands, and other places in northern Europe. In the United States, spelling variations may include
Other variations in spelling include OTHEN, OTHON, OTHNER, OTIN, OTTEN, OTTON, OTTONE, and OTTERN, as well as OTHENER and OTNER in some cases. Some of these variants may also be combined with a given name such as Harry OTTON or Alfred OTTON.
Famous people with the name Otten
- Steve Otten: former footballer and defensive coach
- Christoph Otten: German-born actor and director
- Matilda Otten: contemporary British artist
- John Otten: Dutch-born jazz pianist and composer
- Carsten Otten: German biologist and ecologist
- Claudia Otten: German mezzo-soprano and musicologist
- Kurt Otten: German novelist and playwright
- Tine Otten: Dutch television presenter
- Mathieu Otten: Dutch footballer
- Betje Otten: former hurdler and sprinter
- Lea Otten: Canadian Artist
- Nancy Otten: former Minister of the Dutch government
- Herman Otten: Dutch-American composer and conductor
- Luc Otten: Belgian realist painter
- Les Otten: American businessman and ski resort owner
- Cora Otten: Dutch novelist
- Liev Otten: Dutch politician
- Mark Otten: Dutch musician and record producer