Surname Likens - Meaning and Origin

Likens: What does the surname Likens mean?

The surname Likens is of English origin, derived from the Middle English word "liken", which means to compare or make similar. The surname may have come from a nickname for someone who bore a strong resemblance to another person or it may have been used to denote a relationship of affiliation, for someone who was like, or had the qualities of a particular person or group. As with many surnames, the exact origins can be hard to trace, as they were often derived from nicknames or occupations and then passed down through generations. Likens could also possibly be a patronymic surname, stemming from a personal name. This surname is found in various forms including Leaken, Leeken, Leakins, Leekan, Liken, and Lycon. It's important to note that meanings of surnames can vary significantly based on geographic regions and over time, and the meaning provided is one of the possible interpretations of the surname Likens. It is often more meaningful to consider how the name has been passed in one's own family tree.

Likens: Where does the name Likens come from?

The surname Likens has roots from Northern Europe, specifically in areas that were heavily influenced by the Vikings. It is considered to be of Anglo-Saxon origin, developed in ancient Britain. The name was first derived from Lycaon, a personal name, which was transformed into various forms like Liuekin, Leuekin, and Lykin in the Middle Ages.

The surname Likens can be a patronymic surname meaning "son of Lycaon" or a descriptive surname translating to "little Luke". Patronymic surnames were common during the medieval period as they were based on the first name of a person’s father. Descriptive surnames, meanwhile, often took on diminutive forms of popular first names.

Today, the surname Likens is most prevalent in the United States according to data from Forebears.io. As of 2014, there were about 3,511 individuals with the Likens surname in the US. Other countries with significant populations include Australia, Canada, England, and Germany, though the spread in these countries is much less than in the United States. However, it's worth noting that the data may have varied over the past few years.

Variations of the surname Likens

The surname Likens has various spellings and can be rooted from different origins. Its variants and similarly rooted surnames may include Lichen, Lickens, Likins, Lykens, Lykins, Lycan, Lickan, and Likan.

There's also the possibility of the names being adjusted based on regions and languages, hence the German or Dutch roots could give rise to variants like Liekens, Lycan, or Lykken.

The surname may also be an anglicized version of a Gaelic or Celtic surname, hence the possibility of names like O'Lykin, MacLykin, or Lickan Mac being related.

The surname may be associated with the profession of a 'Lichen gatherer', relating it to occupational surnames like Fletcher (arrow maker), Smith (blacksmith), and so forth. This would make variations like Lichener, or Lickenor plausible as well.

It's also important to note that many surnames have been adjusted over time based on colloquial pronunciations and spellings, hence a wide range of variations.

Given genealogical research and the evolution of names, these are the possible variations and similarly rooted surnames but there could be more.

Famous people with the name Likens

• Sylvia Likens: Sylvia Likens was an American murder victim who was widely considered to be one of the most notorious child abuse cases in history.
• Genie Likens: Genie Likens was an American girl who was the victim of severe and prolonged child abuse and neglect by her parents.
• Danny Likens: Danny Likens is an American actor, known for his work on True Blood, Zodiac and Lord of the Rings.
• Mamie Likens: Mamie Likens was an American artist and writer known for her work in the 20th century.
• Monroe Likens: Monroe Likens is an American stand-up comedian who has appeared on Saturday Night Live and Last Call with Carson Daly.
• Vicki Likens: Vicki Likens was an American entertainer, singer-songwriter, actress and television personality.
• Nikko Likens: Nikko Likens is an American entrepreneur and investor best known for launching several tech startups.
• Eugene Likens: Eugene Likens is an American ecologist and environmental scientist best known for his work on ecology and environmental impact.
• Paul Likens: Paul Likens is an American musician and songwriter best known for being the lead vocalist and guitarist of the rock band, Head West.
• Dave Likens: Dave Likens is an American basketball coach who currently serves as the head coach of the Dallas Mavericks.

Other surnames

Liken