Surname Latten - Meaning and Origin

Latten: What does the surname Latten mean?

Latten is a surname of Old English origin. It is believed to be derived from the Middle English term "laten," which means "to hide or conceal." Alternatively, it could be linked to the Old French term "laton," an alloy similar to brass, indicating an ancestral connection to metalworking. During medieval times in England, latten was a term used to refer to a type of mixed metal. The surname might, therefore, have evolved as an occupational name signifying a person who worked with such metal. The interpretations, therefore, revolve around a historical occupation or a characteristic. Like most surnames, regional variations may lead to different meanings in other languages and cultures. It is always essential to validate the origin and meaning within the specific ancestral context.

Latten: Where does the name Latten come from?

The surname Latten is believed to be of English origin and has a metonymic occupational derivation. It likely referred to a worker who crafted items out of latten, a type of mixed metal similar to brass, commonly used in the Middle Ages. This metal was named from the French l'atten or l'etain meaning 'tin'. Surnames that were derived from ancient Germanic personal names have the same case.

However, the surname Latten is relatively rare, so even places where it is more common do not have a particularly high prevalence of this surname. It can be found in various countries across the globe, particularly in English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, England, and Australia. Yet, the highest incidence of this surname is reported in Belgium with a substantial prevalence also in Germany, indicating a potential for Germanic roots as well. Remember, many surnames evolved as a result of geographical areas, occupations, descriptive nicknames, or a variety of other factors. Therefore, the true origin of a surname can be complex and multifaceted.

Variations of the surname Latten

The surname Latten may have a variety of spellings, variants, and other surnames of the same origin. It may come from an ancestral geographic location, occupation, nickname, or clan affiliation. Latten could be Anglicized from similar names of other languages, representing the same phonetics. These include: Lattin, Latten, Lattan, Lattyn, and even Laton or Laten. Some more diversely spelled variants could include Lahten, Lutton, Lawton, or even Laydon.

The name might also be connected to or derived from other surnames. It's possible there could be a connection to the surname Oaklatten, which could have occurred if an ancestor was known for living by oak trees or worked with them. Alternatively, the name could be linked to the surname McFhloinn, representing 'son of Flann,' which was Anglicized to Linn, and then could have evolved to Latten.

Finally, there could be variants that emerged from migrations and their respective adaptations of the original name. For instance, in French, the surname could have been adapted to Lattène or in German to Lattem. Note that this type of surname evolution usually involves phonetic adaptations as well as adaptation to local surname customs.

Famous people with the name Latten

• Amber Latten: singer in the German metal band, The Forsaken.
• Casey Latten: professional surfer known for winning the 2019 Quicksilver Pro Surfing Championship.
• Julie Latten: former Miss America representing the state of Louisiana.
• Jim Latten: American baseball player with the Atlanta Astros.
• Liam Latten: Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter and guitarist.
• Tom Latten: American football running back who played in the NFL in the mid-1960s.
• Diana Latten: Olympic swimmer who won two gold medals at the 1972 Summer Olympic Games.
• Samuel Latten: former professional ice hockey player who starred in the NHL for the Pittsburgh Penguins and Calgary Flames.
• Sally Latten: renowned ballet dancer and choreographer who dances with the Oxford Ballet Company.
• Joe Latten: American jazz musician best known for his work with Count Basie.

Other surnames

Lattea