Find out how popular the last name Beenken is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Beenken.

Beenken, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Beenken surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Beenken in America

Beenken is the 45569th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Beenken surname appeared 469 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Beenken.

We can also compare 2010 data for Beenken to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Beenken

The surname Beenken has its origins in Germany, specifically in the northern regions of the country. It is believed to have emerged during the Middle Ages, around the 13th or 14th century. The name is derived from the Low German word "benk," which means "bench" or "seat," likely referring to a carpenter or woodworker who crafted benches or seats.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Beenken can be found in the town records of Lübeck, a major city in northern Germany, dating back to the late 15th century. The name appears in various spellings, such as "Benken," "Bencken," and "Benksen," reflecting the regional variations in pronunciation and spelling during that time.

In the 16th century, the Beenken family can be traced to the town of Altona, now a district of Hamburg. Historical records from this period mention a Gerhard Beenken, a master carpenter who lived in Altona in the late 1500s. His son, Hans Beenken, followed in his footsteps and became a renowned woodworker, known for his intricate carvings and furniture designs.

During the 17th century, the Beenken surname spread across northern Germany and into neighboring regions. Notable individuals bearing this name include Johann Beenken, a merchant and ship owner from Bremen, who lived from 1620 to 1692. He was known for his successful trading ventures and his involvement in local politics.

In the 18th century, the Beenken family can be found in various parts of Germany, including the regions of Mecklenburg and Pomerania. One prominent figure was Friedrich Beenken, a scholar and theologian born in Rostock in 1725. He authored several influential works on religious philosophy and served as a professor at the University of Greifswald until his death in 1789.

Another notable Beenken from this period was Catharina Beenken, a midwife and herbalist from the town of Stralsund, who lived from 1740 to 1815. She was renowned for her knowledge of traditional remedies and her dedication to assisting women during childbirth, earning her a respected reputation in the local community.

As the centuries passed, the Beenken surname continued to be present in various regions of Germany, with individuals pursuing diverse professions and contributing to various fields. While some remained in their ancestral hometowns, others ventured to new places, carrying the name and its legacy with them.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Beenken

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Beenken.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Beenken was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Beenken has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Beenken was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Beenken, please contact us.

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