Surname Meins - Meaning and Origin

Meins: What does the surname Meins mean?

The last name Meins is of German origin and is believed to originate from the Middle High German word “mein”, meaning “mine”. It is thought to have been used as a nickname for a person who would claim ownership of certain possessions or areas of land.

The suffix “-s” was sometimes added to names in Germanic countries prior to the 15th and 16th centuries. This was done to indicate that someone was the son of someone else with the same name. For example, the name “Meins” may have originally been used as a patronymic for a son whose father was named “Mein”.

The surname Meins can also be found in several other European countries, such as Norway, Denmark, and the Czech Republic. In these cases, it is usually derived from the Old Danish “meinn”, meaning “proud” or “arrogant”. This may have been a nickname applied to someone who acted in an arrogant manner.

Today, Meins is a fairly uncommon name. It is still common in parts of Germany, where there are several prominent people who carry the name, including Hermann-Josef Meins, a Catholic priest and peace activist best known for his protests against nuclear weapons. In America, the name is much rarer, though there are still a few families who bear the name.

Meins: Where does the name Meins come from?

The Meins surname is most common today in parts of Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Many immigrants who carried with them this traditional family name went to other parts of the globe, particularly North America, Australia, and South Africa.

In Germany, the Meins surname is most commonly found in Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein, and North Rhine-Westphalia. In Belgium it is mainly present in Limburg and East Flanders. In the Netherlands, the Meins name is most popular in North Brabant and Friesland.

In North America, the Meins surname is found in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It is most commonly encountered in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas, California, and New York. In Australia, the name is found primarily in New South Wales, South Australia, and Victoria. In South Africa, it is present mostly in Western Cape and Gauteng.

Finally, there are a few pockets where the Meins surname is present in other parts of the world. These include Scotland, Hungary, France, and Croatia.

Overall, the Meins name is most commonly found in Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands, although it has also spread throughout much of the world thanks to migration.

Variations of the surname Meins

The variants, spellings, and surnames of origin for the surname Meins are:

MAINS: This is the most prominent variation of the original surname. It is derived from the Low German maan, which means “man,” and is likely derived from an occupational name for a professional joiner or cabinet maker.

MEINES: This variation is simply a German spelling of the name, found in documents and records throughout the centuries.

MEINHART: This is a German variant of the Mein surname. It is attributed to a Bavarian family, meaning “strong heart” or “brave heart” in German.

MEINKE: This is another variant of the Mein surname, derived from the Middle German name “mein”, meaning “my”.

MEINSEN: This variant is thought to be a variation of the surname MEINKE, where the suffix “-sen” was added to the end.

MEINZER: This variant is a German surname derived from the village of Meinz or Mohinz, in modern-day Baden-Württemberg. The name means “the dwellers of Meinz”.

MINS: This is a variant of the Meins surname, likely derived from the German “mein” or “meins”, as well as the Low German “maan” or “maaner”.

MEYN/MEIJN/MEIJEN: This is a Dutch variation of the surname, and appears to be derived from the Old German word “meinen”, which means “to mean”.

MEINSMA: This Dutch variant is derived from the surnames MEIN and MEIJN, with the addition of the suffix “ma”.

MEINDERS/MEINDERTS: This Dutch variant appears to be derived from the Old German word “meinder”, which means “servant or retainer”.

In conclusion, the variations, spellings and surnames of origin for the surname Meins are quite varied. Some are derived from Low German words, while others are Dutch or Old German words with suffixes added. In some cases, the name is attributed to specific families or villages, while other times the origin is merely speculative.

Famous people with the name Meins

• Carolin Meins: German former figure skater who competed in single skating and pair skating.
• Spanky Meins: English former rock guitarist and record producer.
• Wendy Meins: Canadian writer and playwright of adult fiction, YA, and children's books.
• Adolf Meins: German World War I fighter ace who was credited with 26 victories.
• Heinz Meins: German actress and writer.
• Paul Meins: Canadian curler from Alberta.
• Tobias Meins: German musician and composer.
• Robert Meins: Swiss–German architect who specialized in building with timber.
• Oskar Meins: German silent film actor who appeared in over 40 films.
• Hisako Meins: Japanese actress and voice actress.
• Gerald Meins: German football manager and former player.
• John Meins: American cinematographer who worked in the Hollywood film industry.
• Emily Meins: American children's author and illustrator.
• Bernadette Meins: German figure skater who competed in ladies' singles.
• Philipp Meins: German swimmer who won the 2018 European Open Water Swimming Championships.
• Anthony Meins: American racecar driver who competed in the USAC National Sprint Car Series.
• Thomas Meins: German professional ice hockey player.
• Stephan Meins: German jazz composer, bassist, and music producer.
• Beren Meins: Dutch field hockey player.
• Garrett Meins: American music video and short film director.

Other surnames

MeinMeinardMeinardtMeinardusMeinartMeinartzMeinburgMeinckMeinckeMeinckenMeindelMeindersMeindertsMeindertsmaMeindlMeindlschmidMeindlschmidtMeindtMeineMeineckeMeinekeMeinekenMeinekerMeinelMeinelschmidtMeineltMeinemaMeinenMeinerMeinerding