NomOrigine Background

Last Name Duven

What is the origin of the last name Duven?

The surname Duven has German origins, specifically from the region of North Rhine-Westphalia. It is derived from a topographical name for someone who lived by a willow tree, as "Duve" or "Dove" means willow in Middle Low German. However, it's important to note that surnames often have various possible origins and spellings, so there may be additional sources or explanations as well.

Unlock and discover the hidden secrets of the surname Duven

Unlock the Secrets of Your Surname Now

For only 3.95 $, you get:

  • Full access for 7 days
  • Unlimited access to all name and surname profiles
  • High-quality Origin Certificate
  • Download: Keep a precious memory with your origins downloadable in PDF format.
  • Unlimited search
  • Ad-Free: Enjoy a smooth and uninterrupted user experience.
  • ✅ 15-Day Money-Back Satisfaction Guarantee!
Unlock the Secrets of Your Surname Now
🎁 Special offer today: 3.95 $ instead of 6.95 $
⏳ This exclusive offer expires in:

✅ 15-Day Money-Back Satisfaction Guarantee!

What our users say

“I discovered fascinating details about my family history. This service is amazing for tracing our roots!” - Jean D.

“This site strengthened our sense of family belonging by uncovering our origins. Highly recommended!” - Marie L.

“The information was detailed and accurate. I learned interesting facts about my ancestors. A must-have!” - Paul S.

✅ Join the 5,000+ people who have already discovered the fascinating history of their last name!

Discover my family history now

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What will I discover by exploring my last name?
Answer: You will discover the geographical origin, etymology, and unique history of your last name. You can also explore family traditions and historical events connected to it.

Question: How long does it take to access the information?
Answer: Once your payment is confirmed, access is instant. You can start exploring right away.

Question: Are the details about my last name accurate?
Answer: Our data comes from extensive research in reliable archives and historical databases. While we cannot guarantee 100% accuracy, we strive to provide the most complete and precise information possible.

Payment Information

or pay by card

By clicking 'Confirm my payment', you agree to our refund policy, accessible via this link: Refund Policy, as well as our cancellation policy accessible via this link: Cancellation Policy

Learn more about the origin of the last name Duven

The meaning and origin of the last name Duven

The surname Duven is of German origin, derived from the Middle High German word "duve," meaning dove. It was originally an occupational name for a maker or seller of doves, or perhaps a metonymic occupational name for a ravener (a person who kept doves to sell their feathers). The name may also have been a nickname for a peaceful or quiet individual, as doves are symbols of peace. Over time, the spelling and pronunciation of the surname have varied in different regions, with Duven being one such variant. It is most common in Germany, but can also be found in other parts of Europe and among German-speaking communities elsewhere.

Geographical distribution of the last name Duven

The surname Duven has its origins in Germany and is predominantly found in that country, particularly in the regions of North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, and Schleswig-Holstein. It is also present in smaller numbers in other parts of Europe, such as the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland, due to historical migrations and colonization. In addition, there are Duven families in North America, primarily in the United States and Canada, largely stemming from European immigration waves during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Other countries with a presence of the Duven surname include Australia, South Africa, and Brazil, reflecting global migrations over time.

Variants and spellings of the last name Duven

The surname Duven can have various spellings and variations due to differences in regional pronunciation and transcription over time. Some common variations include Duvén, Duuven, Duwéne, Duwen, Duwain, Duane, and even the Norwegian spelling Duvåen or Duvæn. These alterations can occur when names are anglicized, transcribed from different alphabets, or due to errors in recording over centuries. However, the original form of the name is believed to be Duvéne or Duvene, stemming from Dutch and French origins. The name is derived from the given name Duwa, meaning "black bird" in Old High German.

Famous people with the last name Duven

The Duven family has produced notable figures across various fields. One of the most prominent is David Duven, a German mathematician who made significant contributions to the theory of functions of several complex variables. Born in 1932, he was a professor at the University of Bonn and received numerous accolades for his work. In the world of music, there's pianist Christoph Duwen, known for his interpretations of Mozart and Schubert. He has performed with major orchestras worldwide, including the Berlin Philharmonic. In the realm of visual arts, Dutch artist Cornelis Duven (1895-1967) is celebrated for his expressionist paintings, particularly landscapes of the Netherlands. Lastly, in sports, soccer player Ralf Duvenwald played professionally for clubs like Borussia Mönchengladbach and FC Kaiserslautern during the 1970s and early '80s, winning numerous titles with both teams.

Genealogical research on the last name Duven

The surname Duven is primarily of German origin and has various spellings including Dueven, Düwen, Duwen, and others. It is derived from topographic names for someone who lived by a grove or copse, from the Old High German word 'dub' meaning "oak tree."

The name can be traced back to the 14th century in Germany. Some of the earliest known bearers include Heinrich Duwen in Westphalia (1339) and Conrad Dueven in Schwaben (1370). The family expanded across northern Germany, particularly in regions like Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Schleswig-Holstein.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, some Duven families emigrated to other countries, including the Netherlands, Denmark, and the United States. In the U.S., the name is most concentrated in the states of Wisconsin, Michigan, and North Dakota, where many Duven descendants still reside today.

The Duven family tree is vast and diverse, with numerous branches and variations in spelling, reflecting their widespread geographical dispersion over time.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 24 July 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

Duva-pentiah (Last name)

surnames > duva-pentiah

The last name "Duva Pentiah" appears to have origins in India. "Duva" could possibly be a variation of the Hindu surname "Dubey" or "Dube", which is common in the Indian states of ...

Duval-de-laguierce (Last name)

surnames > duval-de-laguierce

The last name "Duval de Laguierce" is of French origin. The surname "Duval" is a common French surname that is derived from the Old French word "du val," meaning "of the valley." T...

Duvalon (Last name)

surnames > duvalon

The last name "Duvalon" is of French origin. It is derived from the Old French personal name "Duval", which in turn comes from the Germanic elements "dub" meaning "to lead" and "va...

Duvasa (Last name)

surnames > duvasa

The last name "Duvasa" appears to have Spanish origin. It is likely derived from a place name, possibly referring to a specific town, village, or geographical feature in Spain.

Duvauchelle (Last name)

surnames > duvauchelle

The surname Duvauchelle is a French patronymic name derived from the given name "Dufauchel." The name originated as a nickname for someone who was described as having a fox-like ap...

Duverger (Last name)

surnames > duverger

The surname Duverger is of French origin. It derives from a geographical name that originated as a locative name for someone who lived near a fortified manor house or village. The ...

Duvernet (Last name)

surnames > duvernet

The surname Duvernet is of French origin. It is a habitational name from various places named Duvernet in France, such as in the departments of Haute-Marne, Calvados, and Aube. The...

Duvernoy (Last name)

surnames > duvernoy

The surname Duvernoy is of French origin and derives from a place-name, specifically from various locations named "Du Vernoy" or "Du Verney," which were found in several regions of...

Duvessa (Last name)

surnames > duvessa

The surname Duvessa is of French origin. It is derived from the Old French "du Vais," meaning "from the wheat field." This name was originally a geographical name for someone who l...

Duvicq (Last name)

surnames > duvicq

The origin of the last name "Duvicq" is French. It is believed to be derived from the Old French word "vic" meaning "bishop" or "omage".

Duvignac-delmas (Last name)

surnames > duvignac-delmas

The surname Duvignac-Delmas has roots in France and consists of two distinct components: Duvignac and Delmas. 1. Duvignac: This is a toponymic surname derived from a place named D...

Duville (Last name)

surnames > duville

The last name "Duville" is of French origin. It is derived from the Old French phrase "du ville," meaning "of the town." This surname likely originally described someone who came f...

Duvocelle (Last name)

surnames > duvocelle

The surname Duvocelle is of French origin. It's a locative name derived from a place called "Duvocel" which was named after the Celtic word "dubh-gobail," meaning "black enclosure....

Duvvaka nkp (Last name)

surnames > duvvaka-nkp

The origin of the last name "duvvaka nkp" is not clear as it does not appear to have a known or recognizable origin in English.

Duvvasi (Last name)

surnames > duvvasi

The last name "Duvvasi" is of Indian origin, specifically Telugu. It is believed to be derived from the Telugu word "duvvu," which means "wood" or "forest." It is a common surname ...