Outten

The surname Outten is believed to have originated in England and dates back to the early medieval period. The name is thought to be derived from the Old English word "utten," which means "outer" or "outside," suggesting that the name may have been given to someone who lived on the outskirts of a town or village.

Outten is a variant spelling of the more common surname Utton, which appears in records as early as the 13th century. One of the earliest known references to the name can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1275, where a William Utton is mentioned.

In the 14th century, the name appears in various forms, such as Outton and Owtton, indicating regional variations in spelling and pronunciation. The Outten variant likely emerged during this time as well.

The Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landholdings in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086, does not contain any direct references to the surname Outten or its variants. However, it does record several place names that may have given rise to the surname, such as Utton in Wiltshire and Otton in Somerset.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Outten was John Outten, who was born around 1520 in Cheshire, England. Another notable figure was Thomas Outten, a merchant and alderman who lived in London in the late 16th century.

In the 17th century, several members of the Outten family were involved in the colonization of North America. Richard Outten, born in 1630 in Worcestershire, England, was one of the first settlers of Maryland, arriving in the colony in 1659.

Other notable individuals with the surname Outten include:

1. William Outten (1779-1851), an English naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars. 2. John Outten (1829-1904), an American politician and businessman who served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates. 3. Elizabeth Outten (1864-1956), an American educator and activist who fought for women's suffrage and educational reform. 4. Henry Outten (1875-1937), a British artist known for his landscape paintings and etchings. 5. George Outten (1905-1982), an American baseball player who played for the Philadelphia Athletics and the Boston Red Sox in the 1920s and 1930s.

While the surname Outten has its roots in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world, particularly the United States, where it is most commonly found today.