Surname Menneken - Meaning and Origin
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Menneken: What does the surname Menneken mean?
The surname Menneken is of Dutch origin, derived from the elements 'men' and 'neken' which translate to 'man' and 'to nick' respectively. This suggests the name is likely an occupational surname, typically referring to a male occupation based in woodworking.
Historically, Menneken was likely a surname given to someone who was a sawyer - a person who sawed tree trunks into boards for use in construction. As such, the name is directly related to the art and skill of carpentry. The skills of carpentry include the cutting, shaping, measuring and installing of materials such as wood, which were vital to early home and structure construction.
The surname Menneken is also known in its plural form, Mennekens, which is associated with a family of instrument makers from the 16th century onwards. The family, famous for their skill and craftsmanship, produced a wide range of instruments such as harpsichords, lutes, organs and other musical instruments. This suggests there could be a creative meaning to the name, representing the talents of musicians and craftsmen who worked with their hands.
Today, Menneken is a frequently used name in the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium, reflecting the rich heritage and culturally diverse genealogy of these countries. The surname is a testament to the skill, artistry and dedication of all those who had to rely on their hands for their livelihood.
Order DNA origin analysisMenneken: Where does the name Menneken come from?
The last name Menneken is very common today in Belgium, particularly in the Brussels-Capital region. This name has been present in Belgium since the Middle Ages and has also spread to parts of Germany, The Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, and other European countries. According to statistics, more than 10,000 people with the Menneken surname currently reside in Belgium alone.
In German-speaking Belgium and Luxembourg, the Menneken surname is spelled as 'Mennicken'. As a result, some members of the family have adopted this spelling in recent years in order to better identify themselves.
The Menneken name has a long and rich history in the region. In 1477, the city of Brussels granted the Menneken family a coat of arms. This coat of arms was later used as the seal for the Kingdom of the Netherlands in 1814. Furthermore, several dozen streets around Belgium are named after the Menneken family.
The Menneken name is still very much alive in the region today, and its presence in Brussels is undeniable. The success of the family has enabled its members to become prominent figures in business, politics, and other areas of society.
Variations of the surname Menneken
Menneken is a Dutch and German surname derived from the personal name Meinhard. This name was originally derived from the Germanic “magan”, meaning “strength”, and “hard”, meaning “brave”.
Variants of the surname Menneken include Menneken, Meenken, Menken, Meenen, Mennen, Menning, and Mennehn.
Spellings of this surname include Menneken, Mennehn, Menneking, Menning, Mennen, Meening, Menenking, Meenking, Menking, Meenken, Meinke, Meenen, Meineken, Mennken, Menhen, and Meinken.
Surnames of the same origin include Mennicken, Meinke, Mens, Mensing, Menz, Menzning, Meins, Menn, Minges, Minkes, and Mings, as well as Mannchen, Menne, Mennebener, Mennerich, Menssen, and Mingers.
The surname Menneken has been found in various regions in Europe since the Middle Ages, with the earliest known record being that of Gervasius Mening of Germany in the year 1233. It is most common in Germany and the Netherlands.
Famous people with the name Menneken
- Paul Menneken (1902: 1968): A composer, arranger and jazz musician from Germany who was particularly involved in experimenting with multi-media works which blended different art forms.
- Fredrik Menneken (1808: 1892): A Belgian painter from the Barbizon School who worked in both oil and watercolor with a focus of rural scenes, agricultural workers and gypsies.
- Paul Jean Menneken (1783: 1873): A prominent French Romantic landscape painter.
- Johann Theodor Menneken (1708: 1787): An important German painter and also the court painter of the principality of Fulda.
- Arnold Menneken (1748: 1819): A sculptor and neoclassical artist from the Netherlands.
- Johann Heinrich Menneken (1788: 1845): A French sculptor and portrait painter.
- Michael Philip Menneken (1844: 1907): A Belgian Impressionist painter who was primarily known for his works of rural genre.
- Paul Wolfgang Menneken (1796: 1851): A German genre painter who is known for his paintings of peasants and rural scenes.
- Joseph Menneken (1737: 1811): A French cartoonist, novelist, and playwright who had a successful career writing satirical and comic works. He was an important contributor to the Enlightenment in France.
- Bernd Menneken (1947: present): A German fencer who has enjoyed success at both the individual and team events in both foil and sabre.