Surname Lemmens - Meaning and Origin
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Lemmens: What does the surname Lemmens mean?
The last name Lemmens is a Dutch surname, originating from the Dutch province of Limburg. It is derived from the Dutch word “lemmens” which means “little people”. The original meaning of the name most likely refers to the small population of the region during the Middle Ages.
It is also thought that the last name Lemmens is derived from a personal name like Lamme, which means “little lamb” in Old German. The spelling variations of Lemmens can be attributed to the many languages and dialects used during the period of emigration. Common spelling variations are Lamme, Lammen, Lemme, Lemmee, Lemmes, Lemen, and Lemmens.
Many Lemmens families were concentrated in the province of Limburg in the Netherlands, where they have lived since the Middle Ages. Over time, the family began to migrate to other parts of Europe, particularly Germany and France. Some of these families eventually settled in the United States, Canada, and South America.
By the early 1700s, the Lemmens family had grown significantly, and it is said that nearly one-quarter of the population in Limburg had the Lemmens last name. This indicates that the Lemmens family was among the most popular surnames of the time.
Despite its popularity, very little is known of the Lemmens family’s history. It is possible that the name is connected to an ancient Dutch family or religious order, though there is no clear evidence this is the case.
Overall, the last name Lemmens has an interesting heritage, and the original meaning of the name is still debated. It is clear, however, that the Lemmens family has an impressive history, with roots in both Europe and the Americas.
Order DNA origin analysisLemmens: Where does the name Lemmens come from?
The last name Lemmens is most commonly found in Belgium. In Belgium, it is the 19th most common last name according to the population register, making it one of the most frequent surnames in the country. This surname is also present in certain areas in the Netherlands, particularly in the province of Limburg.
Lemmens is a habitational name derived from several places with the same name, located in the regions of Flanders, Limburg and Luxembourg. The etymological origin of this last name is attributed to the old German "lemma", which means preamble or metaphor, and subsequently the Dutch "Lemmen", which has the same etymological origin. The Lemmens family name translates to “inhabitants of the preamble” or “inhabitants of the metaphor”.
The last name Lemmens is also found in the Caribbean, particularly in Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles. The Antillean region has witnessed a significant number of people with this last name as a consequence of the colonization of the Caribbean in the 17th century. The origin of this colonization is rooted in Europe, mostly from Dutch settlers.
Today, the Lemmens surname is still relatively common in Belgium and it is possible to encounter this last name throughout Europe and the Caribbean. It continues to be transmitted through generations, providing a sense of family history and tradition.
Variations of the surname Lemmens
The Lemmens surname is thought to have originated in the Low Countries, particularly in modern-day Netherlands and Belgium. It is also found in Germany and the Rhineland region of France. Variants of the surname include Lemmens, Lemmen, Lemmink, Lemmeling, Lemm, and Leemans, with different spellings such as Lemmens, L'emmence, L'emmens, Lemmingsen, and Leemings. Lemmens is also a common variant used in Dutch-speaking countries, such as the Netherlands and Belgium.
In Germany, Lemmens is often spelled Lemmen or Leemann. In the French-speaking area of the Rhineland, the spelling is often Lemm or Lammb. It is also common to find the Dutch spelling Lemmen or the Germanized spelling Lemmingsen.
The Lemmens surname is derived from the French word for "lemon", which was used as an occupational name for a lemon seller. It has also been suggested that the name may have roots in the Middle Dutch word for "low lying", which was used to describe an area of low-lying land, such as a marsh or fen, suggesting an origin in the Netherlands and Belgium.
In England and Scotland, the Lemmens surname is often found as Lemmon or Lemon. In Ireland, the Lemmens surname is often found as La Mon. Many of the same variants of the Lemmens surname can also be found in other countries, including Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Famous people with the name Lemmens
- Hans Lemmens: Dutch organist, composer, and conductor
- Pierre Lemmens: Belgian sculptor
- Ruben Lemmens: Dutch field hockey player
- Sarah Lemmens: French Paralympic swimming athlete
- Augustin Lemmens: Belgian lawyer and politician
- Jose Lemmens: Dutch footballer
- Benoît Lemmens: Belgian goalkeeper
- Jo Lemmens: Belgian writer, columnist, and presenter
- Bart Lemmens: Dutch cyclist
- Jan Lemmens: Belgian mountain biker