Surname Brinks - Meaning and Origin
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Brinks: What does the surname Brinks mean?
The name Brinks is a Dutch origin surname, derived from the Dutch word brinc, meaning 'brand' or 'brim'. This reference could refer to a person's job or profession as a fireman, or to a part of a family's coat of arms. The family name could also be derived from the Dutch verb brinken, meaning 'to border or edge'. This indicates that the original family lived on the border of a village or land.
In some cases, Brinks is a variation of the Old German Brink. It could also be a nickname for someone with a bright and cheerful personality.
In the Netherlands, the Brinks family began in the 12th century as a well-off family associated with judicial and administrative activities in Gouda and The Hague where its members served as assessors and officials.
The Brinks name was brought to the Dutch colonies of New Netherland and New York in the 17th century by Dutch immigrants. The family extended to the Van Brienen family, located in Fulton County, New York, and Bella Vista in Benton County, Arkansas.
In modern times, the name Brinks is especially popular in the Netherlands, the United States, Canada, England, and Belgium. The popularity is likely due to its numerous branches in those four countries, as well as the name's meaning associated with the phrase 'bringing something'. The Brinks legacy continues to remain strong, with the name being used to reference a variety of different companies and industries.
Order DNA origin analysisBrinks: Where does the name Brinks come from?
The Brinks surname is common throughout many countries in Western Europe, particularly in the Netherlands and Germany. There is also a significant concentration of this surname in England and Scotland, as well as the United States.
In the United States, the highest concentration of the surname Brinks is concentrated in two areas: in the Midwestern region, primarily in Michigan, and in the West, primarily in California. In the Midwest, the surname is especially concentrated in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Illinois, likely due to the presence of Dutch settlers there in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The highest concentration of Brinks families in Michigan is found in the Lake Macatawa and Muskegon areas, while in California, Brinks surname is especially common in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Elsewhere, the surname is most common in the Netherlands, where it has been present for centuries, as well as in Germany, France, Belgium, Denmark, and Austria. In England, the surname is especially common in the northern part of the country. While in Scotland, the surname is more common in East and Central Scotland.
Overall, the last name Brinks is found throughout the world, making it one of the more common surnames in the world today.
Variations of the surname Brinks
The surname Brinks has many variants, spellings and associated surnames with the same origin.
Variants and spellings of the surname Brinks include Brinck, Brincke, Brinks, Brinckes, Brunck, Brunk, and Brunke.
In Dutch, the surname is often modified to Brinkman or Brinkmans. Additionally, it is changed to Brank in Bohernian dialect.
Family branches in different regions may have adopted different spellings to differentiate themselves based on where they lived. For example, the Brinck family in Germany is known to have changed its spelling to Brunck due to their traditional region.
Other associated surnames of the same origin with the spellings of Brinkman, Brinkmans, Branks, and Brankman, may be found in various parts of the Netherlands, Germany, and Bohemia. Some members of this family may also use alternate spellings of Braks, Brander, Brenkman, and Brenkhof.
With a history spanning multiple nations and dialects, Brinks represents a large and diverse family with a complicated ancestry. However, all of these variants, spellings and surnames can be traced back to the same origin.
Famous people with the name Brinks
- Patrick Brinks: Former professional soccer player who has represented the United States Men's National Soccer Team, United Soccer League, and Major League Soccer.
- Alicia Brinks: American country music singer who has released three studio albums on the independent label Crossroads Entertainment.
- Sam Brinks: American author who is best known for his suspense novel The Prince.
- Frank Brink: Hollywood actor who has appeared in films such as The Birds, Magnificent Obsession, and The Legend of Zorro.
- Mark Brink: American film director and screenwriter who has directed several films such as Into the Blue, Race to Witch Mountain, and The Great Gatsby.
- Jan Albert Brinks: Dutch historian and professor who is best known for his book Dutch Colonialism and Indonesian Islam.
- Roz Brinks: British jazz musician who has released two albums, The Last of the Soul Cats and Wilderness.
- Roger Brinks: American amateur racing driver who won the Indianapolis 500 in 1971.
- Johnathan Brinks: Emmy-nominated American basketball coach who served as head coach of the Seton Hall Pirates men’s basketball team from 1996 to 2005.
- Ingrid Brinks: Dutch architect who has received several prestigious awards for her work, including the Dutch Royal Medal.