Surname Mennenga - Meaning and Origin

Mennenga: What does the surname Mennenga mean?

The last name Mennenga is a German surname derived from a German place name. Mennenga is derived from the Old Saxon ‘manning’, meaning ‘manor’, as is the name of many variations associated with the same place name. The surname is thought to be a variant of the Middle High German name Mennen, meaning ‘road man’. This would have been the occupational name of a person tending to the roads at the time when the surname first originated in Germany.

At the peak of its popularity, Mennenga was found in various parts of Germany, particularly in the areas of Thuringia, Saxony, and Westphalia. Over time, the surname spread outside the region through migration. Mennenga is common in Germany and the Netherlands, with some variation in spellings.

Today, the Mennenga surname is carried by people of German descent living all over the world. For example, some of the famous people with this surname are Roland Mennenga, a businessman from the Netherlands; Anne Mennenga, an American Canadian actress; and Dirk Mennenga, a German philosopher.

The Mennenga surname is a lasting legacy of a German family steeped in a rich heritage of culture and tradition. Apart from being a reminder of where the family came from, it’s also a source of pride for those who carry it with them.

Mennenga: Where does the name Mennenga come from?

The last name Mennenga is primarily found in Germany, the Netherlands, and the United States. Its origin is Germanic, stemming from the medieval personal name Mengo, which reference a god-like official. The Men- prefix was added to this name, forming the last name Mennenga.

In Germany, the last name is most commonly found in the lower Rhineland area, particularly in the states of Niedersachsen and Hessen. The Netherlands also has a significant population of Mennenga families, with most residing in the western provinces of Zeeland and Noord-Brabant.

In the United States, Mennenga families are primarily found in the Midwest and upper Midwestern states, in cities such as Milwaukee, Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, and Plattsburgh, New York. Recent immigrants from Germany and the Netherlands have brought the last name to other cities all throughout the United States.

The Mennenga surname is not a particularly common last name, with only an estimated 1,400 people currently using the name. Despite this, the surname continues to have an enduring presence with families around the world.

Variations of the surname Mennenga

Mennenga is a German-derived surname, which can be variously spelled as Mennen, Menning, Mennemeyer, and Mnning among others. Mennenga is a patronymic surname, derived from the given name Menno, which is a Germanic form of the Hebrew name Menaḥem.

Variants of the spelling of Mennenga include Mennega, Mennige, Mennegge, Menneken, Mennecker, Mennees, Mennel, and Mennell, with variants of the spelling including Menne, Ming, Mottes, Motteker, Mens, and Mathonia.

Surnames of similar origin to Mennenga include Mennink, Mannink, Menninga, Mangnus, Mennekes, Mennes, Mennesman, Mennema, Mennema's, Menningman, Menkema, Mannema, and Mennigman.

Other related variants of the surname Mennenga include Menninger, Mennings, Mennegger, Mengener, Menninghoff, Menningers, and Mennegatz. Naturalized variations on the name include Meng, Mensnage, Mengs, Mings, Mangham, Menges, Mingsling, Mengelman, Menneken, and Menningen.

In its various spellings and with its connected surnames, the origin of Mennenga remains linked to Menaḥem throughout the Germanic cultures.

Famous people with the name Mennenga

• Chad Mennenga: former NFL football player
• Maurice Mennenga: former CEO and president of U.S. Bank
• Mike Mennenga: professional bass angler and outdoor TV host
• Dave Mennenga: former American football linebacker
• Christine Mennenga: Broadway actress, singer, and dancer
• Joe Mennenga: collegiate basketball coach
• Bob Mennenga: radio host and producer
• Chris Mennenga: filmmaker
• Jo Mennenga: Olympic discus thrower
• Piet Mennenga: Dutch-born provocational artist

Other surnames

Mennen