Surname Heyns - Meaning and Origin
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Heyns: What does the surname Heyns mean?
The last name Heyns is a Dutch occupational surname derived from the medieval profession of a hoenier or dog-keeper. This profession would involve looking after hunting dogs, or bore dogs, which were used for a variety of tasks and in some cases even for entertainment such as during festivals. The term "Heyns" is derived from the Old Dutch word "heini" meaning dog.
The earliest records of this surname in the Dutch archives date back to the 14th century. At this time, it is likely that the members of this family had already been in the profession of dog-keeping for at least 2 or 3 hundred years.
Since then, the Heyns family has expanded and spread across Europe, particularly to Germany, Belgium and the United Kingdom. Members of the family are often associated with hunting and outdoor activities. The name Heyns has also been linked to entrepreneurship and the military - particularly Air Force personnel in the US.
Overall, the last name Heyns carries a rich history of tradition, enterprise, and outdoor lifestyle. Its association with dog-keeping and hunting in particular highlights an important ancestral connection with the Dutch people and their traditions.
Order DNA origin analysisHeyns: Where does the name Heyns come from?
The last name Heyns is most commonly found in South Africa and Namibia. It is estimated that more than 90% of the people with the surname Heyns are concentrated in the two countries. The surname has Dutch and German roots and is derived from the word "heyn" which means brave.
It is believed that many of the first people with the surname Heyns arrived in South Africa from the Netherlands in the early 17th century during the Dutch colonization. Subsequently, some Heyns arrived in the mid-18th century during the German colonization from the German-speaking part of Switzerland. These two migrations of people from Europe to South Africa are the primary source for the majority of people in South Africa and Namibia with the surname Heyns today.
The Heyns family is considered to be one of the oldest and most influential in South Africa. Many members of the Heyns family have held prominent positions in business, politics, and law. The Heyns are well-known for their dedication to high moral standards and their commitment to social justice and community advocacy.
In addition to South Africa and Namibia, the last name Heyns is also found in the United States, Canada, and other countries around the world. As a result of globalization and the movement of people between countries in search of better opportunities, the surname Heyns is growing in other parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Heyns
The surname Heyns belongs to one of the oldest Dutch families in South Africa. It is believed to have originated from the Netherlands. In the Netherlands, the surname is commonly spelled as Heijns or Heijnes and is also known as Heyne or Heynez in Germany.
In South Africa, the surname Heyns is often spelled as Heins or Heynse. It is also spelled as Hyne, Heynes, and Heynce in some cases. It is a variant of the German surname Heine, which is derived from the name of a German noble family called the Heinrichs, with the German spelling Heynrichs being used in the Netherlands.
The variants of Heyns are found both in South Africa and in other countries around the world. In South Africa, the surname is also commonly found in the form of Heyne, Heene, Heyn, Heini, and Heyniiger. In the United States, it is found mainly in the forms of Hine, Hynes, Heyne, and Heine.
In other countries, the surname can be found in the form of Heinz, Heinze, Heynz, and Heinse. It can also be found in the forms of Hoeyns and Hayn in Belgium, Heine in Germany, and Heynsz in Poland.
In addition, Heyns is also a patronymic surname derived from the first name Henric. The name Henric was derived from the Germanic name Heimo, meaning "father", and is commonly found in Dutch-speaking countries. The variant Heyne is often found in German-speaking areas.
Famous people with the name Heyns
- Reshard Heyns: a South African artist renowned for his strong sense of colour and his trademark dynamic brush strokes.
- Annette Heyns: an internationally successful film producer who has worked on a number of acclaimed films.
- Alex Heyns: a South African entrepreneur and philanthropist who has founded a number of businesses in the technology sector.
- Peter Heyns: a politician from South Africa who served as a Member of the Executive Council from 1994 to 2004.
- Babsie Heyns: a South African swimmer who won numerous medals in international competitions and was inducted into the Swimming Hall of Fame.
- Annelies Heyns: an accomplished dressage rider and trainer from the Netherlands who has competed in multiple teaching competitions around the world.
- LuAnne Heyns: a professional golfer from the United States who is a regular on the LPGA Tour and has won a number of tournaments.
- Mokgwathi Peter Heyns: a prominent civil servant from South Africa who served as the Director-General of the Department of Home Affairs from 2004 to 2010.
- Breyten Heyns: a celebrated South African novelist, poet, painter, and musician whose work has been recognised with a number of awards.
- Jaco Heyns: a South African lawyer who has held a number of positions in the South African government.
Other surnames
Comments or additions to the name "Heyns"
20.06.2024
Excluded was famous Penny Heyns who held world record for breast stroke