Surname Valkonen - Meaning and Origin
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Valkonen: What does the surname Valkonen mean?
The last name Valkonen is of Finnish origin and translates to "White" in English. The name may have originally been used as a nickname referring to someone with very light hair or complexion, or it could have been related to geographical features such as a place where the soil is very light or there is a lot of snow. It could also refer to white flowers or be related to spiritual or symbolic meanings related with the color white in Finnish culture. As surnames became hereditary, the name would have been passed down through generations. Today, it is a common last name in Finland.
Order DNA origin analysisValkonen: Where does the name Valkonen come from?
The last name Valkonen is most common today in Finland. Valkonen is the fourth most common Finnish surname, following Jansson, Mäkinen, and Korhonen. It literally translates to "falcon" in English and is believed to be derived from a nickname given to someone living in a location known for falconry.
Valkonen is most common in Finland's Varsinais-Suomi province in the southwest, where the surname was first found in 13th century documents. Helsinki and its surrounding area have the highest concentration of Valkonen's today, followed by the city of Tampere and the larger Pirkanmaa region.
Valkonen's can also be found in Sweden, where it is the 536th most common surname. Most of the Valkonen's in Sweden are descended from Finnish immigrants, who began immigrating to that country in the 1800s. Many Valkonen's outside of Finland are the result of immigration, with Valkonen's now living as far away as the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Valkonen is a unique name, and it is a reminder of the global migratory history that exists within the Finnish and Nordic diasporas today. The population of Valkonen's around the world today is a living legacy to the resilient people and rich history of Finland.
Variations of the surname Valkonen
Valkonen is a Finnish surname, originating from an old Finnish word “valkea”, meaning “white”. It has several spelling variations, including Valkeenen, Valkeinen, Valkonen, Valkoski, Valkeinen, Valkeinen, and Walkeenen. The Finnish spelling is prevalent in Finland, but slight variations may be found in other regions such as Estonia, Latvia, and Russia.
The surname is very common in Finland, especially in the northern and western parts. According to the Finnish Population Register’s statistics, there are around 12000 people with the surname Valkonen in Finland, making it one of the most common surnames.
The surname is also found in other countries, especially those with large Finnish communities. In the United States alone, it is estimated that over 4000 people carry the surname Valkonen. In the countries of the former Soviet Union, such as Russia, Estonia and Latvia, the spelling is usually Valkeinen or Valkeenen.
The derivations of the surname Valkonen in other languages and countries include the following: Walkeenen, Valshnik (Yiddish), Valky (Czech), Valkinis (Lithuanian), Valkösky (Hungarian), Valckx (Dutch), Valkeñez (Spanish), Falkovski (Belarusian), and Valkkari (Karelian).
In addition, there are many variants based on related names, such as Valkela, Valkama, Vallema, Vallemo, Valkelo, and Valjala. These variants often appear as tall Finnish names in the northern parts of the country.
Overall, the surname Valkonen is one of the most common surnames in Finland, and it has many spellings, variants, and related names both in Finland and abroad.
Famous people with the name Valkonen
- Pasi Valkonen: a Finnish ice hockey player
- Matias Valkonen: a Finnish rower who competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics
- Markku Valkonen: a Finnish football player and manager
- Sami Valkonen: a Finnish ski jumper who competed at the 1998 Winter Olympics
- Teemu Valkonen: a Finnish ice hockey player
- Seppo Valkonen: a Finnish politician
- Jussi Valkonen: a Finnish journalist, author and geographer
- Otto Valkonen: a Finnish cross-country skier who competed at the 1936 Winter Olympics
- Anssi Valkonen: a Finnish journalist
- Roope Valkonen: a Finnish jockey who competed in horse racing