Surname Hemmens - Meaning and Origin
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Hemmens: What does the surname Hemmens mean?
The last name Hemmens is of Germanic origin and would have been first used as an occupational surname given to a person who was a craftsman working with hemp fibers. This is likely due to hemp being both a popular fiber and a plentiful crop in the Germanic region during the Middle Ages. The surname could also have some connection to ‘ham’, a Germanic word which referred to a village or homestead.
Hemmens is a patronymic surname, meaning it was given to the son of someone with this name. The prevalence of the Hemmens surname today is largely due to the migration of German-speakers to countries across Europe and elsewhere in the 1700s and 1800s. It is now a fairly common name in the Netherlands, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
In addition to being an occupational and family surname, ‘Hemmens’ may also have some symbolic meanings. In the German language, ‘hent’ is the imperative form of the verb ‘heben’, which can mean ‘to raise’ or ‘to lift’. Therefore, Hemmens may have been given as a sign of aspiration or guidance, with the hope that its bearer will ‘lift’ or ‘raise’ themselves up in their life.
Order DNA origin analysisHemmens: Where does the name Hemmens come from?
The last name Hemmens is most commonly found in the United States today. It is a name of German origin that was first introduced to the U.S. in the late 19th century. The origin of the surname is derived from the German words "hem" which means home and "mensch" which means man - or literally "man from home".
The origins of the name Hemmens may have stemmed from when the early German immigrants first arrived in the United States and were trying to establish their place in a new land. The last name was likely used as a way to tie individuals to their newly established family roots, solidifying their identity and belonging.
In 1880, approximately 8,400 people were identified living in the United States with the surname Hemmens. Since then, the popularity of the name has grown over time and currently, it is estimated that close to 30,000 individuals currently living in the United States possess the last name.
The highest concentrations of Hemmens are found mostly in the Midwest and Eastern U.S. states like Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, and Michigan. However, the name can be found scattered throughout the rest of the United States as well. According to a recent genealogy report, the states of California, Texas, and Florida also boast a relatively high population of Hemmens.
Today, the name Hemmens is still well-recognized throughout the U.S., ultimately honoring the legacy of the early German immigrants who presumably used the last name to clearly identify themselves from their early homeland.
Variations of the surname Hemmens
The surname Hemmens has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Hemmens originated from the ancient Germanic personal name "Heimo" with the suffix "-in" meaning "belonging to" or "descendant of". This surname has remained popular throughout time and is visible in many records in Europe.
Variants of the name Hemmens include Hemers, Heimers, Heimetz, and Hämmertz, as well as Harms, Hems, Hemis, and Hemish. Spellings of the surname are often seen with an additional s, as Hampton, Hamman, Hammons, Heman, and Hemmen.
Surnames of the same origin of the surname Hemmens may sometimes be seen as Heming, Hemingway, and Heffern, as well as Hennig, Hennings, Henninger, and Henninghoff. Other variations of the name may include the additional suffix of "-er", such as Hemmer, Hemminger, Hampeler, Hemann, Hemwa, and Heimeler.
The roots of the surname Hemmens are Associated with Old German words "heim," meaning "home," while the suffix "-er" stands for "son of." This is a reference to the family's places of origin, and its roots, which can be traced to the medieval period.
Hemmens is a common surname that is spread throughout Europe, but it is especially common in Germany, the Netherlands, and France. It is unknown exactly when the surname first originated, but it appears in records of European countries in the late 17th and early 18th centuries.
Famous people with the name Hemmens
- Julian Hemmens: Professional athlete and six-time All-Star.
- Ashley Hemmens: Canadian actress best known for her roles in Containment, UnREAL and Pretty Little Liars.
- Link Hemmens: American voice actor currently starring in the Nickelodeon cartoon series Loud House.
- Gertrude Himmelsbach Hemmens: Art teacher from Amsterdam, recipient of the Dutch government’s Medal of Honor for her contribution to the country’s cultural life.
- Hal Hemmens: American actor best known for his appearances in films such as Independence Day and Die Hard.
- Ben Hemmens: British actor renowned for his lead role in the hit miniseries The Game Of Thrones.
- Christopher Hemmens: Actor and writer who gained fame for being the star of Netflix’s series Mindhunter.
- Patrick Hemmens: Architect who designed several notable buildings in the Netherlands, including the Museum of Natural History.
- Sophia Hemmens: Singer, songwriter and music producer who scored a number-one hit on the UK music charts with her song ‘Too Much’.
- Chris Hemmens: Musician and co-founder of the rock band Destroyed Logan.