Wilken
A surname most often explained as a short form of William, with the ending -ken marking “little” or “son of.”
The #9,642 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 91,725 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Wilken is generally treated as a diminutive or pet form of the personal name Will/Wilhelm, ultimately from the Germanic roots meaning “will, desire” and “helmet, protection.” The suffix -ken is common in Low German and Dutch naming and often gives the sense of “little” or “young,” so the name can be understood as “little Will” or “son of Will.” Some historical surname lists also connect it with related forms such as Wilke and Wilkens.
History
The surname is well attested in northern German and Dutch naming traditions, where short forms of given names often became hereditary family names. The excerpts show it grouped with Wilke, Wilkens, and Wilkerson as related forms, which matches standard onomastic treatment. In English-speaking countries it is less common and is usually found through later migration from Germanic-language areas.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The -ken ending is a classic northern Germanic diminutive, so Wilken started life as a nickname-like form before becoming a fixed surname.
From the historical record
“Rctiecca Tmbellrile ; ibid. p. 71. i6jg. — Thomaa Wilken*aB and Mary :^p.2«. Turbot, Turbat, Turblt,”
— A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, with special American instances