Surname Barkentin - Meaning and Origin

Barkentin: What does the surname Barkentin mean?

The last name Barkentin is of French origin and comes from the Old French term “barquin,” meaning a type of flat-bottomed boat. As a surname, Barkentin is likely to have been adopted by an ancestor who based their name on a job that they held, such as an owner or operator of such a boat, a riverboat captain, or a merchant who moves merchandise by such boats. It is also related to the Old French “Barker,” meaning a boatman, which further implies the ship-related association of the name.

The name is likely to have originated in the 1500s in the French provinces, as family names began to become more commonplace. Research suggests the first recordings of the name Barkentin come from the south of France, near the Mediterranean Sea, where boats were the primary mode of transportation for goods and people alike.

Without a doubt, however, the most notable Barkentin to come to the Americas was Pierre de Barquin, who was born in France and sailed to America in the early 1600s to become an explorer and trader. He is credited with establishing French trading posts in the Great Lakes region and beyond, making him the first recorded Barkentin immigrant to the New World.

Today, the Barkentin name can still be found across France and other French-speaking countries, and further down the line in America. It is a reminder of the nautical lifestyle and history of the original Barkentin settlers, and the link to an amazing waterway adventure of centuries past.

Barkentin: Where does the name Barkentin come from?

The last name Barkentin is most commonly found today in Germany and Sweden. It is a relatively rare name and is not found in many other countries around the world. The Barkentin family originated in Westphalia, Germany, making up the majority of those with this name in Europe. The name can also be found in some countries in the Scandinavian and Nordic region, including Sweden and Finland.

In Germany, the name has its roots in the Prussian provinces of Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate. In the past, Barkentin was associated with a prominent aristocratic family from the city of Wolfenbüttel in Lower Saxony. This family owned substantial land and had high political power. Some members of the family have also achieved international renown in literature and the arts.

Sweden has a strong Barkentin presence, as the name is associated with some of the leading pioneer figures of the Swedish Reformation. The name can also be found in the Swedish province of Dalarna, where many of the settlers of the area had Germanic roots.

The Barkentin family continues to offer a deep legacy in Germany and Sweden, from their prestigious aristocratic background and artistic accomplishments to the religious influence they had in the Swedish Reformation. The Barkentin name has had a lasting legacy in both countries, and remains a distinctive and recognizable part of the cultural heritage of each.

Variations of the surname Barkentin

The surname Barkentin is derived from the English and German names of Berchentin or Berchending, with early references in history from the 12th century.

The variants, spellings and surname forms of Barkentin include Barchendt, Barchending, Barchentin, Berchending, Berchentin, Barchantin, and Berchantin. They can also be found spelled as Barkentine, Barkendt, Barkindt, Barkendine, Barchentine, Barkhantin, and Barchantine.

The Barkentin surname may also have been shortened or adopted as Brosam, Breisam, Bressam, or Bresson. The surname is more commonly found in Germany around the city of Jever, but can also be seen in Buckinghamshire, England, in records from the late 1600s.

In other anglicised countries, the name may have taken alternate spellings or been translated. In France, for example, the name may be seen as Barchentin, Barchentine, or Barchendine, in Latinized form as Parcents or Barcents or even with a "w”, like Berchendin or Berchentin.

Today the surname can be found all over the world as most bearers of the name emigrated to other countries, particularly the United States and Canada. However, the popularity of the surname remains highest in Germany, indicating its birthplace as well as its longevity.

Famous people with the name Barkentin

• Elisabeth Barkentin: an artist in Basel, Switzerland best known for her abstract landscapes and figurative works.
• Frederic Barkentin: a French trailer music composer whose works featured in some of the most iconic films of the late 20th century.
• Michael Barkentin: an American illustrator, cartoonist, and fine artist who has been featured in a variety of publications, such as The New Yorker and Playboy.
• Amanda Barkentin: a fashion designer from Switzerland whose creations have been exhibited in museums and galleries around the world.
• Sam Barkentin: an award-winning sound mixer and sound designer who has worked on many major television and film productions.
• Robyn Barkentin: an Australian journalist who specialises in human rights issues and is a regular contributor to the ABC.
• Paul Barkentin: a renowned French accordionist and teacher, whose compositions have been featured in international music festivals.
• Tessa Barkentin: a political cartoonist and illustrator whose artwork has been featured in a variety of publications, including The London Times.
• Tabitha Barkentin: a British contemporary artist best known for her minimalist paintings and sculptures.
• Jamie Barkentin: an American comic artist and author of several independent comic books.

Other surnames

BarkenthinBarkentien