Surname Pennings - Meaning and Origin
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Pennings: What does the surname Pennings mean?
The last name Pennings originates from a Dutch place name Penningsven, which is composed of two elements: "Pening" meaning "peninsula" and "ven" meaning "marsh." Thus, the name refers to a marsh located on a peninsula.
People with the surname Pennings likely had an ancestor who lived in the area of Penningsven at one point and the name was then passed down through generations.
Pennings is an uncommon Dutch name, with only a few hundred individuals in The Netherlands having the name. Outside of The Netherlands, people with the surname may be found in Germany and in the United States, after immigration to the U.S. took place during the 19th century.
It has been suggested that the surname Pennings can be associated with the Dutch words “pennen” (to paint) and "penning" (money) or “penne” (feather) and “ven” (marsh) though it is unclear through which of these the name originates from.
No matter its origin, the surname Pennings is a reminder of an ancestor that once lived in Penningsven. It serves as a reminder of how far families have come from the places they first settled.
Order DNA origin analysisPennings: Where does the name Pennings come from?
The last name Pennings is most commonly found in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and Luxembourg. These countries are largely occupied by Dutch and German-speaking persons, so the variant of the name in those countries is often spelled as "Penninx".
In present day, the Netherlands has the highest concentration of people with the last name Pennings (also spelled Peenings and Penninx). In the Netherlands, there are approximately 2,400 people with the name Pennings. In Belgium, there are approximately 1,000 people. Germany and Luxembourg each have fewer than 500 people with the name Pennings.
Outside of Germanic Europe, the name Pennings is rare. According to Nameberry, government records list the name Pennings in the United States but there are likely only a handful of people with the name. It is likely that those with the name Pennings outside of Europe are descendants of immigrants from one of the German-speaking European countries.
In addition to being concentrated in Europe, the name Pennings is also a popular surname in South Africa, likely due to migration patterns of Dutch settlers from the Netherlands in the mid-17th century. There are approximately 300 people with this name in South Africa today.
Overall, the last name Pennings is most common in Germanic countries like the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and Luxembourg. However, due to migration patterns and colonization by European powers, it can also be found in the United States, South Africa, and other parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Pennings
The surname Pennings is an occupational surname originating primarily in the Netherlands. It is derived from the Middle Dutch word “pennink”, which translates to “pincher.” The surname is most commonly found in Northern and Western Europe, though it does have a presence throughout the world.
Some common variants of the surname Pennings include Pening, Penning, Pennig, Pennning, Penningss, and Penninger. There are also numerous alternative spellings such as Pannings, Penceings, Pinnings, and Pennningst.
The surname can also be found in other surnames from the same origins such as Penningon, Penninck, Pannink, Pannier, and Penniks.
Pennings is also occasionally combined with other surnames to create double-barreled surnames such as Pening-Miedema, Pennings-Van Voen, and Penning-Stol.
While the surname may have originated in the Netherlands, it is now found throughout the world, with variations and spellings adapting to different cultures and local languages. In the United States, for example, the surname is sometimes spelled Pennings. In Germany, the surname could be seen as Pinnings or Pennig, while in Italy it would be seen as Penzon or Pinet. In Scotland, the surname may be spelled Penninghame, while in the UK it could be Penningstone.
Regardless of the variant or spelling, the surname Pennings will most likely continue to spread around the world in the years to come.
Famous people with the name Pennings
- Daniel Pennings: Canadian Mixed Martial Arts fighter known for winning the Cage Fury Fighting Championships Lightweight title.
- Keaton Pennings: Canadian Rapper and songwriter, who got his big break when fellow Canadian rapper Tory Lanez took him on tour in 2017.
- Frits Pennings: Dutch professional footballer who currently plays for FC Dordrecht in the Eerste Divisie.
- Marlon Pennings: Dutch professional football manager and former player. He currently manages Sparta Rotterdam in the Eredivisie.
- Kyle Pennings: Canadian Actor and Stand-up Comedian, who appeared in the Canadian TV series Todd and the Book of Pure Evil.
- Natalia Pennings: Dutch Pop Singer, best known for her debut single "You Should Know".
- Jerome Pennings: Belgian Director and Writer, known for his critically acclaimed short film ‘Waiting for Thatch’.
- Maxime Pennings: French entrepreneur and cityscape photographer, who is the co-founder of the technology company Yource.
- Iris Pennings: Dutch fashion designer and author, who is the founder of the contemporary fashion label, Pennings Amsterdam.
- Robert Pennings: American classical pianist, who has performed in numerous festivals and venues worldwide.