Surname Dicken - Meaning and Origin
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Dicken: What does the surname Dicken mean?
The last name Dicken is of English origin. The name is derived from a place name located in Yorkshire, and an earlier form of the name Dickin was derived from the Middle English term “dykyn” which is similar to the modern word “ditch”. It was likely originally used to describe a person who lived near a ditch or was employed in ditch-making.
The surname Dicken is a fairly common name in the United Kingdom, particularly in the south of England. It is also a well-established name in other countries such as Australia and the United States, where it is well known in the areas of Kentucky, Ohio and Wisconsin.
The Dicken name likely began to develop from the Norman medieval period, between 1066AD and 1135AD. During this time, surnames first began to be used and many of them were formed from the names of places and occupations.
The name Dicken has a number of variants, including Dycken, Deakin, Diecken and Deacon. Depending on the spelling, the original meaning of the name may vary slightly, however it is likely to still refer to a location or an activity.
Throughout the centuries, the name Dicken has upheld its placement in records and we can still find present-day descendent families of the Dicken name in the 21st century.
Order DNA origin analysisDicken: Where does the name Dicken come from?
The last name Dicken is most common in England. It is most prevalent in the East Midlands, specifically Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire. It is also relatively popular in nearby counties such as Lincolnshire, Warwickshire and Staffordshire. The name is also present elsewhere in the United Kingdom, with small numbers of families found in Wales and Scotland.
The largest cluster of the Dicken family in the world is found in the United States. Today, the surname can be found in most states across the nation with a few notable concentrations in the Midwest. These states with a strong presence of the surname include Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois.
Outside of these areas, the surname is still present in far-flung areas of the world such as Austria, Belgium and Denmark, among others. This shows the far-reaching power of the Dicken surname. In fact, today the name is most speckled throughout South and Northwest England, Northern Ireland, and Scotland.
Though its popularity has declined slightly over the past century, Dicken is certainly still a common and recognizable last name. Its diverse background and origins have made it a part of our unique global family, while its roots in England bring a sense of unity and history to many households.
Variations of the surname Dicken
The variant spellings of the surname Dicken include Dickin, Dickon, Dickson, Dyckin, and Dyckon. These variants all originate from the medieval English name Diccon, which is derived from the Latin personal name ‘Diccum’.
The anglicized surname of Diccon became more widespread in England during the late Middle Ages and took on many variants and different spelling variations, as the use of surnames began to spread.
The ‘son’ suffix was often added to personal names in order to indicate patronage and so a patronymic, such as Dickson, was then created. It was also common for linguistically varied areas to introduce variations on the same name.
In Wales, Dyckin and Dyckon were amongst the versions of surname variations used by the people of the region, as well as in Scotland.
Numerous other surnames are derived from the same origin as Dicken, such as Dickman, Dickinson, Dixon, Dickson, Dunkin, and Dunkon.
Despite the many different spellings for the surname, all of these variations are linked to the same roots and family tree, with their original ancestor being none other than Diccon.
Famous people with the name Dicken
- Charles Dickens: Charles Dickens was an English writer, considered to be one of the greatest novelists of the Victorian era. He wrote such classic works as Oliver Twist, Great Expectations, A Tale of Two Cities, and David Copperfield.
- Flo Dickey: Flo Dickey is an American author, journalist, and book reviewer. She has written numerous books and articles in the 1940s and 1950s.
- Ed Dicken: Ed Dicken is a musician, best known as the vocalist and guitar player for the American punk rock band The Vectors.
- Russell Dickson: Russell Dickson was an American writer and poet, whose best known work is A King of Men. He is also credited with writing several plays, including In the Fall of the Moon.
- James Dicken: James Dicken is a British composer and writer. He is best known for writing the musical score for the hit Broadway musical, The Phantom of the Opera.
- Frederick Dicken: Frederick Dicken was a British lawyer and author of the 19th century, most notable for his book, An Introduction to the Law of Real Property.
- Julia Dicken: Julia Dicken is an American actress, best known for her appearances in the TV shows Medium, NCIS, and The O.C.
- Craig Dicken: Craig Dicken is a former football player from the United States, who played for the Oakland Raiders and won the Super Bowl in 2003.
- Toby Dicken: Toby Dicken is an English actor and filmmaker, best known for his roles in the films Rush and Sherlock Holmes.
- Jack Dicken: Jack Dicken is an American wildlife photographer, author, and television host. He is best known for his work on the PBS television show Nature.