Surname Meinken - Meaning and Origin
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Meinken: What does the surname Meinken mean?
The last name Meinken is derived from the German word "Meineken," meaning son of Meinhard. First found in Mecklenburg, Germany, the Meinken surname was likely borne by the descendants of Meinhard, likely a strong and powerful figure of the time who became a patronymic name for generations that followed.
The Meinken name has symbolic meaning related to the fortitude and strength of the Olde Germanic root name Meinhard. The “hard” prefix in many Germanic names denotes strength and determination. Metaphorically, the Meinken name represents a sense of endurance and perseverance in the face of adversity.
Over the centuries, Meinken's spread across the world, and the family name has become common in many countries, including the US and Germany. In the US, families with the Meinken name settled in Pennsylvania and Ohio, drawing the majority of people from Silesia, Mecklenburg and Pomerania.
Meinken's today are known for their loyalty, determination and strength, with those qualities often passed down through families. The Meinken name is also associated with compassion and kindness, as Meinken's typically take pride in looking out for the welfare of their families and neighbors.
Order DNA origin analysisMeinken: Where does the name Meinken come from?
The last name Meinken is most common in Northern and Central Europe. It originated in Germany and is still frequently found there, especially in Brandenburg, Berlin, and Saxony. It also is found in Netherlands, Poland, and some parts of Scandinavia.
In recent years, people with the last name Meinken have immigrated to other parts of Europe, as well as the United States and Canada. For instance, Meinken can be found in New York, Chicago, and California. In Canada, the last name is spread throughout the provinces. In the UK, the name is particularly common in the South and East Midlands.
The last name Meinken may be of German origin, but is also thought to be a variation of Minken, which is a Frisian name. It is also believed to be a derivative of the old German name Menken, which may have come from the name Manchen, meaning ‘man’. It could also be related to Bahlow’s German name Meineken, which is derived from Meinhard, meaning ‘strong-hearted’.
Overall, the last name Meinken is still quite common today, with many variations existing throughout Central and Northern Europe, as well as parts of the United States and Canada.
Variations of the surname Meinken
The surname Meinken is a German origin name, which has several different spellings and variants. It is also translated into other languages and dialects, resulting in further surnames.
Some of the spelling variants in German include Minken, Meynken, Meinke, Meincke, Meinchen, Menken, Meunke and Meierken, amongst others. The surname is present in Dutch, with notable spelling variants being Menken, Meinken, Meink, Minken, Minkies, Meykin and Meinekin.
It is also found amongst German-speaking migrants to the United States under several different spellings, such as Mink, Meink, Manke, Meunke, Minke, Mynke, Meinke and Mecke. In some cases, the surname has been Americanized to Menk, Manke and Mieneke.
Meanwhile, there are several other variants around the world, such as Mamken and Mamkin in Russia, Meinckens, Meincke and Minecin in Brazil, Mincke, Mencke, Mienke and Menkin in South Africa, and Menkin in Finland.
In some cases, the surname Meinken may have derived from the name Meynken or Meunke, or from Meinkingh, an old German name for a person involved in the cutting of cloth. In other cases, it may be derived from the names Menneken, referring to a person from Menneke (a place in Belgium), or from Meine, an old version of the name Mein/Meine, meaning “my own”.
Famous people with the name Meinken
- Angela Merkel: the longest serving and current Chancellor of Germany
- Frederick A. Meinken: a German American journalist and traveler
- Francis Meinken: a professional baseball player
- Georg Meinken: a German poet
- Erwin Meinken: a German diplomat and political scientist
- Jimmy Meinken: an American singer, songwriter, and record producer
- Hubert Meinken: a German architect
- Isabelle Meinken: a Swiss figure skater
- Joscha Meinken: a German historian
- Jenny Meinken: a German Olympic athlete
- Leonard E. Meinken: an American screenwriter
- Lukas Meinken: a German actor