Otten

Otten is a surname of Germanic origin widely found in Germany and the Netherlands, with presence in other parts of Europe and North America due to migration. In onomastic studies, Otten is generally treated as a patronymic surname that originated from the medieval given name Otto. The surname would have been used to identify the descendants or family of a man named Otto, with the suffix -en functioning as a patronymic or plural marker in German and Dutch naming traditions.

Variants and related forms include Ottens, a Dutch-derived form, and other spellings such as Ottenh or Otte found in various regions. The distribution of the surname Otten reflects historical population movements within the German-speaking world and neighboring areas, as well as later emigration to the Americas during the modern period.

In historical records, the surname Otten appears from the late Middle Ages onward, with notable concentration in certain regions of Germany and the Netherlands. Today, bearers of the name may be found in diverse professions, and the name does not denote a specific occupation or status.

See also Otto, the given name from which Otten is typically derived, and Ottens, a related surname variant.