Surname Koten - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Koten: What does the surname Koten mean?
The surname Koten is mostly a surname of Jewish origin. The surname is believed to be derived from the Yiddish word “koten,” which means “corner.” It suggests that it may originally have referred to someone who lived in a corner of the village or who came from a “corners” of a region or country.
Koten is also a common spelling of a town in Japan called Koten, which is located on the northernmost island of Hokkaido. It is possible that the surname may have originated from the name of the town, as some Jewish people settled there.
The surname Koten may also be related to the Hebrew word “qoten,” which means “throne.” It is possible that a person who was descended from a royal line or who held a prominent position in a community was given this surname.
In any case, Koten suggests a family of wealth and stature. It originated as a means of defining a family’s identity and distinguishing them from others in their society. Whether their wealthy background is expressed through the Hebrew or Yiddish origin, or their high-ranking social status, the name’s meaning conveys a sense of respectability and esteem.
Order DNA origin analysisKoten: Where does the name Koten come from?
The Koten surname is most commonly seen today in Central and Eastern Europe. It is mainly found in Slovenia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, and Croatia. In Slovenia, the Koten surname is derived from the personal name Kote, while in Ukraine, it is derived from the personal name Kot.
In Croatia, Koten is a common surname derived from the personal name Kot. It is a patronymic form of the given name Kot, which in turn is derived from the Old Czech name Kot, a diminuitive form of a Slavic name associated with the word for “beloved.” It is also thought to refer to a kote (or small fort) from which the family took their name.
In Bulgaria, the Koten surname is derived from the given name Koten, which is derived from the Old Slavic name Koloten. It is believed to be related to the word for “wheel,” but its exact meaning is uncertain.
The Koten surname can also be found in Austria, where it is derived from the given name Kotenmann. This name is thought to have originated from a personal name derived from the Old High German Koto meaning “bold, brave.” Finally, there are instances of the Koten surname in the United States and Canada, but these cases are rare.
Variations of the surname Koten
The surname Koten originates from the German word “Kote” which translates to “small cottage”. It is believed to have first been used as a nickname for someone who lived in such a cottage or owned one, before becoming adopted as a surname.
It is found throughout Europe in several variations in spelling, as well as a number of different surnames derived from the same root. In Germany, the most common variants include Kotten, Kothen, Kotthen, and Kottenbrot. Here, the surname is most commonly found in Saxony and Lower Saxony.
In the Netherlands, the surname is usually spelled as Kooten, Kotthen, Koothen, Koothenen, Kotten, Kottenbrot, or Kottebrot, with the dialectic spelling Kottenbroek being the most common. In Belgium, this can become Kuitenbroux.
In the United States, people surnamed Koten may either have kept their original spelling or their surname may have been adapted to fit the English pronunciation, changing to Katz or Cottin. Similarly, in England, the name has anglicised to Cotes, Coten, Cottin, and Cottam.
In Finland, the surname translates to “Koitti”. Additionally, in some Eastern European countries, the surname may appear with the typical Slavic endings of -ov, -ow, -ova, -owa, -ev, and -ew, becoming Kotenov, Kotenowa, Kotenev, etc.
Famous people with the name Koten
- Marjolein Koten: Dutch swimmer who won a silver medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.
- Ferdinand Ernst Koten: Austrian priest and theologian who founded the faculty of theology at the University of Innsbruck in Austria.
- Helmy Koten: Dutch sculptor and ceramist.
- Dave Koten: American artist and illustrator.
- Otello Koten: Brazilian architect and civil engineer who designed various structures in Recife, Brazil, such as the Baroque-style Communities Palace.
- Eric Koten: American professor of Organology at the University of California, Santa Barbara.
- Florence Koten: American singer and Broadway actress, known for playing the role of Elsa Schrader in the popular film The Sound of Music.
- Corinne Koten: Dutch chemist and professor at the University of Groningen, Netherlands.
- Arie Koten: Dutch football player who played for PSV Eindhoven and FC Groningen.
- Igor Koten: Austrian-born Canadian movie actor known for his roles in films such as Miracle at St. Anna (2008) and Good Liar (2019).