There is no method of nomenclature known to the writer by which it is possible to ascertain either the origin or signification of our family name, and it is exceedingly probable that the French name from which it was derived is now obsolete. One of the most intelligent branches of the Outten family has inherited the tradition that our name is of French extraction. The writer readily accepts this tradition as authentic, and he is in possession of numerous facts which he believes sufficient to substantiate their claim.
It was in France that surnames first originated about the tenth century, and the original pronunciation of our family name is decidedly of French origin. But if any further proof is desired concerning the French origin of our family name, I would refer the reader to an old Lexicon that may be found in any city library, entitled "The Pronouncing Gazetteer of the World". The name Outten is found in that book with other proper names, and it distinctly says, "The name is French, and it is pronounced Oten"
The writer accepts without question the authority of the brilliant and profound lexicographer who was the author and finisher of this valuable reference work, but he also claims the inalienable right with all free Americans, to govern the pronunciation of his own cognomen.
One of the writer's correspondents persists in defending the French pronunciation of our name, because it reminds us of our origin. But we do not wear the same style of clothing that our French ancestors wore, and we do not speak the same language that they spoke in order to remind ourselves and others that we are of French lineage. Why not Anglicize our name as well as conventionalize our apparel, and Americanize our accent by giving the family name its proper English pronunciation ?
It is highly probable that the early settlers in this country for several generations held to the French pronunciation, but we know that many branches of the family during the nineteenth century pronounced the name Outten. The old pronunciation is now manifestly obsolete, and there is no more reason for an American citizen to follow European methods of pronunciation than there is for him to adhere to medieval forms of European government.
But perhaps the derivation or the meaning of a name is as important as its pronunciation. We have noticed that the word Huguenot can not be defined, but it is supposed to contain some reference to the city of Geneva, where the sect originated. So the name Outten can not be defined because it has no meaning either in the French or English language, but like the name Huguenot, it may refer to a city. There was an old city in France named Autun, pronounced Oten, to which our family name may refer. This city was in the district of Saone et Laire (Son a Lwar), which was a part of the old Burgundian Kingdom, and less than twice the size of the state of Delaware. It was in the Eastern section of France, and not far remote from Switzerland.
The city, however, is in the northern section of the district, and it was pillaged by the Saracens in 725. In 879 Boson, Count of Autun, established a royal dynasty over Burgundy, and in 888 it was nearly destroyed by the Normans. Here are found the ruins of several ancient temples. A fine Gothic cathedral of the eleventh century named St. Lazare; two Roman gates of exquisite workmanship, several triumphal arches, and other antiquities are still extant. It is now a city of about 15,000 inhabitants, and manufactures cloth, carpets, leather, hosiery, and paper. Autunite (Aw Tunit) is the name of a mineral of a citron or sulphur yellow color, which is found at Autun, and also in the United States.
The modern systems of nomenclature began in France, about the close of the tenth century. Surnames were first introduced there by Norman adventurers, but were confined to the upper classes. These names were either derived from personal characteristics, professions, estates, towns, or cities. A man whose home was in the city of Autun, while visiting other sections, if his name was Abraham, would be called Abraham of Autun, or Abraham de Autun, and the name would ultimately be abridged to Abraham Autun - Oten.
The etymologist may experience some difficulty in ascertaining the derivation of our surname, or the orthography has doubtless changed since the name was first applied, and an effort has probably been made to either enforce conformity between the spelling and the enunciation, or else make the sound more euphonious by changing the pronunciation.
This family record is designed to be historical and not visionary. Family folk-lore is hardly admissable in the genealogy, but it seems reasonable to the writer that our surname was first applied either as above stated or else it was derived from some similar word. It is also remarkable that Bible names obtain in every branch of the Outten family. This is not only proof of relationship, but also that our ancestors were Huguenots, and therefore the family is of French descent.