ZAKEN Origin of surname
ZAKEN, BENZACKEN, BENZAGHEN
Surnames derive from one of many different origins. Sometimes there may be more than one explanation for the same name. This family name derives from a personal characteristic or nickname.
The Hebrew Zaken means "elder" and "wise". Its Latin equivalent, Senior, is documented as a Jewish name in the 11th century in Germany and in the 15th century in Spain. Bonsagner, literally "good old man", is found in 1276 in France, Bos Senher in 1286 also in France, Bonsenyor in the 13th century in Spain, Bonsenhor and Bensenhor in 1417 in France, Seneor, Senhor and Senyor in the 15th century in Spain, Bensignour in the 15th century in France, and Ben Senior in the 16th century in North Africa. The Italian equivalent is Signior, and the French Seigneur. Alter, the German/Yiddish translation of Zaken, is also one of the apotropaic names given to young children to ward off evil spirits and danger. Family names comprising the syllable Alt, the German for "old", can be linked to German towns and villages such as Altdorf in Baden, Aldorf in Franconia, Altenberg in Saxony, Altenberge in Westphalia, Altenburg in Thuringia, Altenkunstadt in Bavaria, and Altendorf, a residential district of Essen, western Germany. Zaken/Saken could also be related to the Oulad Bou Saken tribe in Morocco. Benzaken, the Hebrew for "Zaken's son", is recorded as a Jewish family name in mid 16th century Morocco. In the 19th century, Zaken is recorded as a Jewish family name in a 'ketubbah' from Tunis dated February 20, 1856, of Simha, son of Aaron Ben Hazaken, and his wife Sara, daughter of Jacob El-Haik.
Surnames derive from one of many different origins. Sometimes there may be more than one explanation for the same name. This family name derives from a personal characteristic or nickname.
The Hebrew Zaken means "elder" and "wise". Its Latin equivalent, Senior, is documented as a Jewish name in the 11th century in Germany and in the 15th century in Spain. Bonsagner, literally "good old man", is found in 1276 in France, Bos Senher in 1286 also in France, Bonsenyor in the 13th century in Spain, Bonsenhor and Bensenhor in 1417 in France, Seneor, Senhor and Senyor in the 15th century in Spain, Bensignour in the 15th century in France, and Ben Senior in the 16th century in North Africa. The Italian equivalent is Signior, and the French Seigneur. Alter, the German/Yiddish translation of Zaken, is also one of the apotropaic names given to young children to ward off evil spirits and danger. Family names comprising the syllable Alt, the German for "old", can be linked to German towns and villages such as Altdorf in Baden, Aldorf in Franconia, Altenberg in Saxony, Altenberge in Westphalia, Altenburg in Thuringia, Altenkunstadt in Bavaria, and Altendorf, a residential district of Essen, western Germany. Zaken/Saken could also be related to the Oulad Bou Saken tribe in Morocco. Benzaken, the Hebrew for "Zaken's son", is recorded as a Jewish family name in mid 16th century Morocco. In the 19th century, Zaken is recorded as a Jewish family name in a 'ketubbah' from Tunis dated February 20, 1856, of Simha, son of Aaron Ben Hazaken, and his wife Sara, daughter of Jacob El-Haik.