Surname Konink - Meaning and Origin
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Konink: What does the surname Konink mean?
The last name Konink is a Dutch surname of patronymic origin, which means "son of Koninck". Koninck is an old Dutch nickname derived from the word "Koning", which means "king". The surname likely originated in the Middle Ages, when the lower classes gave their children nicknames based on their leaders, or those of higher status. The surname may have been a status symbol of sorts, as the name referenced the ruling bloodline.
In time however, the surname would come to represent families of lesser means. Over the centuries, the surname has been used in a variety of spelling variations such as Koning, Koning, Kunnink, and Konnink. Today, there are variations of the name in other countries such as Germany, where it is spelled Konig, and Hungary, where it is spelled König.
The modern-day spelling of the surname, Konink, is primarily used throughout the Netherlands, and Dutch-speaking areas of Belgium. Today, there are believed to be hundreds of thousands of people in the Netherlands alone who bear this surname. Beyond it's country of origin, the surname has spread to countries all over the world, including the United States.
For Dutch families bearing the surname Konink, the name is a reminder of their ancestry and the trials and tribulations their ancestors had to overcome to create a better future for their heirs. It's a unique and noble name that signifies a sense of strength, loyalty, and belonging.
Order DNA origin analysisKonink: Where does the name Konink come from?
The last name Konink is a Dutch surname, and is most commonly found today in the Netherlands, as well as its former colonies such as Indonesia, Suriname, and South Africa. It is typically pronounced “KOH‑nink” and is derived from the Old Dutch words “koning” (royal) and “ink” (inherit). As such, it was traditionally a surname given to the son of a king or nobleman.
The surname is more common in certain parts of the Netherlands than others. In Holland, for example, it is most often found in the cities of The Hague, Maastricht, and Rotterdam, as well as in the eastern provinces of Gelderland and Overijssel.
Konink is also an uncommon surname in Germany and Austria, due to its exclusion from the extensive surname lists of the German-speaking countries. One such list, the “Voronstammbaum”, compiled by the Berliner Dialectverein, lists only two individuals who carry the given name Konink: two brothers who emigrated to the United States in 1872.
Konink is a relatively rare surname outside of the Low Countries. In the United States, the 2000 census recorded only 6 individuals with the surname, and it is similarly scarce in France, Spain, Italy, and the United Kingdom.
Variations of the surname Konink
The surname Konink is believed to have Germanic origins and is generally believed to have evolved from a name given to a person who lived in or around the Royal Court. The Dutch spelling and variations of Konink include 'Koning', 'Konings', 'Koninck' and 'Koninckx'. Another common variant is 'Koningk', which is of Dutch origins as well.
In German, the spelling is largely similar but adds an extra character at the beginning: 'Könink'. It is also occasionally spelled 'Koenink', varying slightly from the Dutch form. It is worth noting that some references spell the surname 'Konink' with the 'e' instead of the 'i'.
In Belgium and areas colonized by Belgium, the surname is found with minor variations such as 'Kougnink', 'Koninck', 'Koeninck' and 'Kouinck'. In Belgium, the French spelling is used interchangeably, with 'Koninck' and 'Kouinck' the most common variations.
In some parts of the English-speaking world, the surname is rarely found but can be spelled either 'Konink' or 'Konick'. One other variant that can be found around the world is the surname 'Keninck', which is of Spanish origins.
Therefore, part of the same origin, the surname Konink has a wide variety of spellings and variants, including Koning, Konings, Koninck, Koninckx, Koenink, Koeninck, Kougnink, Koninck, Koeninck, Kouinck, Konick, Keninck and Könink.
Famous people with the name Konink
- Levert Konink: Dutch football player, currently playing for N.E.C. Nijmegen.
- Sander Konink: Dutch tennis player, competing in several professional tournaments.
- Koen Konink: Dutch politician, and a member of the House of Representatives.
- Dominique Konink: Dutch entrepreneur and owner of several companies.
- Emiel Konink: Dutch film director, best known for his comedic films.
- Bas Konink: Former Dutch international footballer, who played for a number of teams in both The Netherlands and Belgium.
- Anouk Konink: Dutch skater, competing at a competitive level in the Netherlands and Europe.
- Renee Konink: Dutch curler, competing in international competitions.
- Peter Konink: Dutch boat designer and sailor, best known for his Netherland 12m design, "Little Joe".
- Jeroen Konink: Dutch human rights activist, working to promote human rights in The Netherlands.