Surname Liken - Meaning and Origin

Liken: What does the surname Liken mean?

The last name Liken is of uncertain origin and meaning. It appears to be very rare and does not have any well-documented history or defined translations in any language. However, if it is speculated to be of Germanic origin, it might be derived from the verb "leichen" or "lichnen" which means to resemble or liken to, indicating a possible occupational origin for someone who makes comparisons or judgements. If it is of English origin, "Liken" could again mean to compare or to describe as similar. Yet, this is all conjecture and without comprehensive detail about its geographic roots, social context, and historical usage, the true meaning of the surname Liken cannot be definitely stated. It is also possible that the name has been altered over time, through migration and language changes. Consulting a professional genealogist or conducting a thorough genealogical research could possibly shed more light on the meaning and origin of the surname Liken.

Liken: Where does the name Liken come from?

The surname Liken is of English origin. It traces its roots back to Britain during the era prior to the Norman Conquest in 1066. The name comes from Lichfield in Staffordshire, and in old English, it was known as "Liccedfeld," which means "open land where corpses are laid out.”

Liken is considered rare today and is not very common. However, it is slightly more popular in the United States than other countries. It can be found moderately in English-speaking countries where there has been significant immigration from Britain, such as Australia, Canada, or New Zealand. The last name may have been altered over the centuries due to linguistic adaptation in different countries and regions. To be certain, additional research would be needed as surnames sometimes have multi-origin possibilities. Notable people with this surname include Keith Liken, an American chef, and James V. Liken, former President and CEO of Regency Hospital Company in the USA.

Variations of the surname Liken

The surname Liken can be found in various forms due to different regional variations, cultural influences, and contexts. It can be found as Lyken, Lykin, Lykens, Likens, and Lykken as well.

The surname can also be observed as Leiken, Licken, Leken, Likan, Likin, Lyckon, and Leckon. The spellings can vary based on phonetic transcription of the surname into different languages and alphabets.

Surname Liken might have come from Dutch, German, or Jewish (Ashkenazic) origins, referring to a person who was likeable or who lived in a region named something similar.

Studies suggest that the surnames Lakin, Lakins, Lakeman, Lakie, and Lake could possibly be related or of the same origin. However, surname origins can be complex and further genealogical research would be necessary to confirm any connections between these names and Liken.

In conclusion, there are numerous possible spellings and variations for the surname Liken. It is always recommended to track your genealogical roots for accurate information.

Famous people with the name Liken

• Lisa Liken: US Navy Veteran, professional speaker, and advocate for women and diversity in the military.
• Kirk Liken: Founder and CEO of the visual effects company Mainframe.
• Tom Liken: American visual artist who has been featured in numerous art galleries and exhibitions.
• John Liken: Member of the United States Senior National Bobsled Team, winner of silver and bronze medals in the World Championships.
• Charles Liken: Award-winning producer, composer, and musician known for his work on films such as Saving Private Ryan and Schindler’s List.
• Michael Liken: Actor, writer and director known for his work in the films Unsane and At Any Price both of which he wrote and directed.
• Jennifer Liken: British actress known for her role as Clara in the sitcom Not Going Out.
• Holly Liken: Former professional volleyball player who has represented the US team in several international competitions.
• Robert Liken: Retired United States Air Force Colonel and former Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration.
• Hana Liken: Croatian singer and actress, the winner of the Croatian Artist of the Year Award in 2019.

Other surnames

Likens