Surname Loosen - Meaning and Origin

Loosen: What does the surname Loosen mean?

The last name Loosen is of German origin and first found in the Rhine area of Germany. It is an occupational name meaning one who "loosened" or "untied", often in reference to a rope maker or wrangler. As a patronymic surname, it was derived from the personal name Lowe, a short version of Lowenric or Lawrence, which means "glorious ruler".

The Loosen surname is most common in Germany, but can also be found abroad in countries such as Canada, the United States, and England. It is believed to have originated from several sources, including the Middle High German word "loezen" meaning “to untie,” or a patronymic form of the personal name Lowenric or Lawrence.

As with many German surnames, the meaning and origins of Loosen can be divided into two parts and symbolized in heraldry. The lion rampant and the open or "loose" hand both derived from the same source, conveying a sense of power and quickness.

The most famous Loosen is likely the famous vintner Ernst Loosen, who is known and respected for his work in the Mosel-Saar-Ruwer region of Germany, with its steep vineyards that can only be worked by hand -- an appropriate image for a holder of the Loosen surname.

Loosen: Where does the name Loosen come from?

The last name Loosen is relatively uncommon in the United States today, with only an estimated 510 people sharing the name according to the 2020 US Census Bureau. It is most heavily concentrated in the state of Texas, with just over half (267) of its present bearers residing there, followed by California and Florida with 40 and 33 occurrences respectively.

The origins of the name Loosen are not completely clear. It appears to have roots in German-speaking countries (e.g., Germany and Austria) due to its possible derivation from the word 'loser' which translates to 'free'. The name could also be Dutch in origin, perhaps derived from the word 'luizen' which translates to 'lice'. It is not known when the first Loosen arrived in the US, though it is likely that it began appearing on American shores in the late 1700s.

The most famous bearer of this surname is undoubtedly actor, musician, and television personality Jack Black, who is of German-Jewish descent on his father's side. Loosens have been living in the US for centuries, though their presence today is relatively sparse. While the last name Loosen may not be a household name today, its nobler history is undeniable.

Variations of the surname Loosen

The surname Loosen has several variants, spellings and other surnames of the same origin.

The surname Loosen has several different spellings, such as Losen, Lousen, Lusen, Luzen, Lüsen, and Lösen. It is also related to similar German surnames such as Löwen, Lüwen, Löwin, and Löwe, all with the root term “Löw” meaning “lion”.

The surname Loosen is also related to the Dutch surname Loosen. It is also related to the Lowen, which is a variant of the Lowen, a German name that was derived from the Middle High German 'Lûwe', which means "Lion" as well as Lowenstein, a German name most likely derived from a place called Laon, which is a city in northeast France.

The surname Loosen may have originated in the Netherlands, where it is extremely common. It has also been documented in Germany, Denmark, and Luxembourg.

In addition, Loosen may be an alternate spelling of the German name Löwenstein, which originated in the region of Thuringia, Germany. The Löwenstein family may have been bearers of the prestigious title Freiherr von Löwenstein, a nobility title given to certain members of the family in the late 17th century.

The spelling Lösdjung is an abbreviation of the German name Löwenstein and is of the same origin as Loosen. The Swedish surname Lås can also be derived from the German name Löwenstein, as can the Dutch surname Los, which is sometimes found as a variant of Loosen.

In addition, Loosen has variants and surnames of similar origin in other languages. These include Lowen (German), Luisen (Scandinavian), Lowenstein, Lewenstein, Löwenstein, Luyten, Luijten (Dutch), Lyewenstein, Loewenstein (English), and Leyen (Semitic).

Famous people with the name Loosen

• Cameron Loosen: American television actor.
• Howard Loosen: German Lutheran pastor and theologian from the 17th century.
• Norbert Loosen: German sport shooter.
• Paul Loosen: German football player and manager.
• Thomas Loosen: German entrepreneur and investor.
• Gertrud Loosen: German writer and poet from the early 20th century.
• Ralf Loosen: German film editor.
• Andrea Loosen: German actress.
• Robert Loosen: American professional golfer.
• Juliane Loosen: German graphic designer.
• Jörg Loosen: German film director and screenwriter.
• John Loosen: Australian composer, conductor, arranger, producer, and singer.
• Erich Loosen: German musician and composer.
• Wilhelm Loosen: German explorer, officer, and writer.
• Erika Loosen: German politician.
• Holger Loosen: Governing Mayor of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg in 2006–2008.
• Marten Loosen: Dutch politician.
• Erich Loosen: German admiral.
• August Loosen: German diplomat and politician.
• Gunther Loosen: German mathematician.

Other surnames

LooseLoosemann