Otten is a Dutch and Low German patronymic surname, meaning "son of Otto." It derives from the given name Otto, which itself originates as a short form of various names beginning with the Old Frankish element aud or Old High German ot, both meaning "wealth, fortune." The surname Otten is primarily found in the Netherlands and northern Germany, reflecting its linguistic roots.Etymology and HistoryThe suffix "-en" in Dutch and Low German patronymics indicates "son of," similar to the English "-son" or Scandinavian "-sen." Thus, Otten literally means "Otto's son." The name Otto has a rich history, borne by four kings of Germany, beginning with Otto I ("the Great"), the first Holy Roman Emperor in the 10th century. It was also the name of a 19th-century king of Greece and the German chancellor Otto von Bismarck (1815–1898). Saint Otto of Bamberg, a 12th-century missionary to Pomerania, further cemented the name's popularity in the region.Notable BearersAccording to Wikipedia, notable bearers of the surname Otten include Andy Otten (born 1989), an Australian rules footballer; Don Otten (1921–1985), an American basketball player; Else Otten (1873–1931), a Dutch translator; Ernie Otten (born 1954), a South Dakota politician; and Frans Otten (1895–1969), a Dutch businessman who served as president of Philips from 1939 to 1961, after whom the annual youth football tournament the Otten Cup is named. Other bearers include Gerold Otten (born 1955), a German politician; Herman Otten (born 1966), a South Dakota politician; Jacob Otten Husly (1738–1796), a Dutch architect; Jim Otten (born 1951), an American baseball player; John Otten (1870–1905), an American baseball player; Jonny Otten (born 1961), a German footballer; Karl Otten (1889–1963), a German expressionist writer and broadcaster; Kate Otten (born 1964), a South African architect; and Les Otten (born 1949), an American businessman.Distribution and VariantsThe surname Otten is most common in the Netherlands and parts of northern Germany. Related patronymic surnames include Dutch Ottosen and Norwegian Ottosen (both meaning "son of Otto"), as well as the English form Otis and German Os, Ott, and Ottmann. Variant forms also include the Irish Mac Óda ("son of Óda") and the English name Cody, which may share a Germanic root.Meaning: "Son of Otto"Origin: Dutch and Low GermanType: Patronymic surnameUsage Regions: Netherlands, northern Germany