Surname Fittgen - Meaning and Origin

Fittgen: What does the surname Fittgen mean?

The last name Fittgen is an occupational surname derived from the Middle High German word "vitzgen" which means fletcher, or an arrow maker. The name likely arose in Germany and spread to other parts of Europe during the Medieval Age. It is most commonly found in the country of Luxembourg, and is also found throughout Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and the United States.

The Fittgen surname, often spelled Fittgen, Fitten, Fittig, Fittigin, Fittingen, or Fittinghaus among others, indicates that the bearer of the surname was descended from someone who had a profession of making arrows, bows, and crossbows. It is very likely that the makers of these weapons were highly esteemed for the craftsmanship and skill they demonstrated.

Today, Fittgen is predominantly a surname used by Americans of German-Luxembourg descent. Many bearers of the Fittgen surname may still have ancestral ties to the craft and skills related to making and repairing bows and arrows. The Fittgen surname has also been smally adopted during the 20th and 21st centuries by people deciding to take the name to either honor their ancestry or to sound like a German name.

Fittgen: Where does the name Fittgen come from?

The last name Fittgen is quite rare, but it can still be found in several locations around the world.

In the United States, Fittgen is most commonly found in Wisconsin and Michigan. This is likely due to the large number of German immigrants who settled in these mid-western states in the 19th century. Additionally, there are a few Fittgens listed in the census records from the Eastern Seaboard states such as Pennsylvania, New York and Maryland.

In Europe, Fittgen is most common in the area of Germany where it originated. Specifically, Fittgen is most often found in the northern region of northwest Germany, over to the northwest corner of Austria and into parts of eastern Luxembourg.

There are also small pockets of Fittgen populations in countries in other parts of the world such as Canada, Australia, Brazil and Argentina.

In short, Fittgen is a rare last name that has it roots in Germany and is now found in several locations around the world.

Variations of the surname Fittgen

The Fittgen surname has several variants, spellings, and derived surnames. These include Fitten, Fette, Fittan, Fittin, Fitting, Fitton, Fydegen, Fidegen, Fittgenstein, and Fittenstein. Fittgen is commonly regarded as a Low German surname, derived from the German word "fit," which means "smart or cunning."

This particular surname prefix is associated with experiencing, strength, bravery, and stubbornness. The variations of the name also suggest that it may have been adopted from many other languages, including Dutch, French, and even Scandinavian languages.

The "gen" suffix of the Fittgen surname suggests that it is an "originating name," which means that it is derived from a location. This "gen" suffix is believed to mean "from," such as coming "from" a certain location. The Fittgen surname is believed to be derived from Fitten in Germany, a town in the eastern part of the Rhineland in the district of Aachen, located between the towns of Monschau and Bottrop.

The variants, spellings, and surnames of Fittgen can be traced back to the late 17th century, when immigrants used the various forms of the name when making their way around Europe. The Fittgen surname has been well-documented throughout the continent, and its spelling variants have also been found in French-speaking regions, such as Belgium and Quebec.

Over the years, the multiple variations of the Fittgen surname have been effectively used to denote various subsets of the overall population, whether based on occupation, regional origin, or other criteria. As such, the Fittgen surname has continued to appreciate its prevalence and importance within the context of genealogy.

Famous people with the name Fittgen

• Nicolas Fittgen: Nicolas Fittgen is a German freestyle footballer and world champion. He achieved a Guinness world record for consecutive 125 kick-ups in 2017.
• Tobias Fittgen: Tobias Fittgen is a German UEFA football coach who works at Borussia Monchengladbach Youth Academy.
• Damian Fittgen: Damian Fittgen is an American actor who has had roles in TV shows such as NCIS, Revolution, and the Netflix show Atypical.
• Jack Fittgen: Jack Fittgen is a British musician and singer-songwriter who is best known for his work with the alternative rock band GoGoBoy.
• Tom Fittgen: Tom Fittgen is a professional American soccer player who currently plays for FC Cincinnati in Major League Soccer.
• Kris Fittgen: Kris Fittgen is an American sculptor and painter. He is best known for his abstract bronze sculptures, which can be seen in collections around the world.
• Bjorn Fittgen: Bjorn Fittgen is a professional German basketball player who plays for Telekom Baskets Bonn in the Basketball Bundesliga.
• Marcel Fittgen: Marcel Fittgen is a German speed skater who has competed in both the Summer and Winter Olympics.
• Karl Fittgen: Karl Fittgen was an American chess master, who was an accomplished player in both correspondence and tournament play.
• Heinrich Fittgen: Heinrich Fittgen was a German botanist and theologian who taught at Bonn University in the 19th century.

Other surnames

Fittge