Surname Dickens - Meaning and Origin
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V. Dickens
read moreDickens: What does the surname Dickens mean?
The last name Dickens is of Anglo-Saxon origin, deriving from a personal nickname, specifically from the medieval given name Dickin, which itself is a diminutive form of Dick. Dick is a diminutive form of the popular personal name Richard, which is a Germanic name composed of the elements "ric", meaning power or ruler, and "hard", meaning hardy or brave. Therefore, the surname Dickens could indirectly mean "son of a powerful and brave ruler". This last name is most commonly associated with the famous Victorian author Charles Dickens. Surnames of this type were generally derived from the affectionate nickname of a father or ancestor and typically bestowed on the male line.
Order DNA origin analysisDickens: Where does the name Dickens come from?
The last name Dickens is of Anglo-Saxon origin, traced back to Britain. The derivation of the name is from 'Dicun', a diminutive of the personal name 'Richard'. In the old English script, Dicun would have been pronounced as "Dickin" which eventually evolved to be Dickens. Dickens may also have been a patronymic surname referring to 'son of Richard'. Of course, one of the most famous bearers of this surname is Charles Dickens, the renowned English writer.
Today, the last name Dickens is quite dispersed globally due to migration and changes over time. It is most common in the United States, with a significant presence in England as these are the places historically associated with the name. Additionally, it can be found in relatively smaller concentrations in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It is worth mentioning that the global distribution doesn't necessarily mean that the highest ratio of people with the last name Dickens live in these countries, but rather these places have a large number of people bearing this surname.
Variations of the surname Dickens
The surname Dickens has its origins in England with first records dating back to the 14th century in Kent. Some variants and spellings of the same origin are Dickins, Dikens, and Dickinson. The spellings Dickinson and Dickenson are usually derivatives of "son of Dickens."
Other surnames that share a similar origin with Dickens include Dicken, Deakins, Dacken, and Ditchkins. These surnames originated from the personal name Dick, which is a diminutive form of Richard. In Middle English, the suffix 'kin' was added to names as a diminutive.
Overall, the variants and spellings of the surname Dickens are largely based on different phonetic spellings that emerged over time and due to geographic dispersion. As a common practice in history, names were usually registered based on how they sounded leading to multiple versions of the same name.
Furthermore, it's important to note that there might be additional lesser-known variants of the surname. Surnames evolved over time, and it's usual to find variations not only in different regions but also within the same families depending on personal choice or local dialect. For instance, we cannot rule out completely deviated forms like Diggins, Dikins or Deckens.
Famous people with the name Dickens
- Charles Dickens: A celebrated English writer famous for his classic novels including "A Tale of Two Cities", "Great Expectations", and "Oliver Twist".
- Monica Dickens: The granddaughter of Charles Dickens, she was a writer best known for her autobiographical works such as "One Pair of Hands".
- Emily Dickens: An English singer and musician, known for being part of an a cappella group called The Swingles.
- Kim Dickens: An American actress famous for her roles in TV shows like "Deadwood" and "Fear the Walking Dead".
- Gerald Dickens: An actor and performer, another grandchild of Charles Dickens. He is known for his one-man performances of his grandfather's works.
- Hazel Dickens: An American singer-songwriter and musician, known for her bluegrass and folk music.
- Cedric Dickens: An writer and the great-grandson of Charles Dickens responsible for various works on Victorian drinks.
- Little Jimmy Dickens: An American country music singer famous for his humorous novelty songs.
- Peter Dickens: A former Royal Navy officer and author, known primarily for his military history novels.
- Charles Dickens Jr: The son of Charles Dickens and a writer himself known for his dictionary of London.