Surname Benninga - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'B'
Benninga: What does the surname Benninga mean?
The last name Benninga is of Dutch and Germanic origin. It is derived from the Old German personal name Benno, or the element ‘benn’ meaning ‘bump’ or ‘protuberance’. Alternatively, this last name may derive from the Old High German personal name, Beninc, which means ‘brave’, ‘bold’ or ‘fierce’.
The Benninga surname became popular in the Netherlands during the 16th century in response to major population growth and the emergence of new surnames in the country. It was further spread by Dutch settlers in the United States and Canada during the 19th century.
Benninga is a relatively uncommon last name. People bearing this name are believed to be independent, strong-willed and courageous and demonstrate a great sense of self-assurance and authority in their behavior. Many Benningas are dedicated to their career goals and are natural leaders.
Benninga is a versatile name which has evolved with time to keep up with changing trends. Despite its ancient origins, this surname is the outcome of many years of hard work and dedication, and has a strong influence over those who bear it.
Order DNA origin analysisBenninga: Where does the name Benninga come from?
The last name Benninga is common in the Netherlands, where it originates, and across the Low Countries, including northern France, Belgium, parts of Germany, and Luxembourg. Since this is a haplogroup originating from a single family, it is likely to branch out as descendants move to different parts of the world. Throughout history, Benninga's have arrived in all corners of any country they have been in.
The Benninga family name is becoming increasingly common in the Netherlands. There have been cases of Benninga's who immigrated to the United States and Canada, as well as to New Zealand, but they remain relatively rare in those countries.
Some Benninga's can likely be found in Australia, where Dutch immigrants have been known to settle. However, the presence of the Benninga name is not as common as in other countries like the Netherlands and its surrounding areas.
In the Netherlands, Benninga's are found in all major cities. Depending on the geographical region, the surname is also known as Bennings, Benningsen, Beningen, Benings, and Benningen. All of these surnames are variants of Benninga, as many of the people in the Netherlands tend to have slightly different spellings of the same last name.
Overall, the Benninga surname is common in the Netherlands, as well as surrounding countries like Belgium and Luxembourg. It is likely that descendants of Benninga's can be found in other parts of the world, such as the United States and Canada, though they are far less common than in the Netherlands and its immediate surroundings.
Variations of the surname Benninga
The surname Benninga is likely of Germanic origin and derives from the personal name Bene or Benno. The surname is generally found in its original form in northern Europe, particularly in the Netherlands, with the spelling Benninga, but versions with the suffix -eman, -in, and -ing also exist.
In Germany, the Benninga name is spelled as Bennin, Benninem, Bennemann, and Benningen. In Netherlands, the name is spelled with many variations such as Benninck, Bennincken, Bennekins, Bennin, Benning, Benninga, Benninghof, Bennen and Benningholf.
In the United States, where the name has been in existence since the 18th century, the spelling has become increasingly varied due to immigration. Common variants include Bennegan, Benneggen, Benninghausen, Bennenhausen, Benninghoff, Bennenboom, Benninkemper, Benninga, Benningen and Benningfield.
In the British Isles, most spellings have their roots in the Netherlands name and include the variants Benninghof, Benningfield, Benninghausen and Bennincken.
Furthermore, the surname Benninga can also be found transliterated from different languages and variations, such as the Dutch-Jewish surname Binnekant or the Swedish name Benninger. Ultimately, all of these spellings and forms share a common ancestral origin.
Famous people with the name Benninga
- Lieke Benninga: an award-winning Dutch media psychologist and expert in media technology and youth trends.
- Emanuel Benninga: a Dutch classical guitar virtuoso.
- Fabian Benninga: a Dutch professional footballer.
- Abe Benninga: a Dutch former professional footballer.
- Esther Benninga: a Dutch artist who creates sculptures, installations and performances.
- Jurriaan Benninga: a Dutch artist and sculptor.
- Maarten Benninga: a Dutch historian and author.
- Sjoerd Benninga: a Dutch astrophysicist and cosmologist.
- Marcel Benninga: a Dutch entrepreneur, investor, and angel investor.
- Oscar Benninga: a Dutch musician, producer, and film maker.