Surname Meinsen - Meaning and Origin

Meinsen: What does the surname Meinsen mean?

The last name Meinsen is of German origin and has several variations including Meinzen, Meizen, and Meisens. It is thought to have derived from a Middle High German word "meinsen", which means "to exchange". This suggests that the original bearer of the name was involved in trading or commerce.

The earliest known record of the name is from the 1300s in what is now Germany, when a record of a Meisner referred to a wine merchant. This shows that trading was likely an important source of livelihood for many Meinsens, as it was for many people living in the Middle Ages.

The name Meinsen is still found in Germany to this day, though its bearers are now typically found in other parts of the world as well. It is possible for family members to trace their origins back to Germany by searching directories and old documents.

Though its origin suggests an association with commerce, Meinsen is not exclusive to people in business. In fact, the name is likely to have been taken up by other professions, such as farming, in the centuries since its creation. It's possible that the name has evolved with the bearers over the years, and now it can simply be seen as a representation of their roots and their family heritage.

Meinsen: Where does the name Meinsen come from?

The last name Meinsen is still found today, primarily in Germany and other countries in Europe. It generally originates from the German Meinsen region in the Harz district of Lower Saxony.

The Meinsen region has a long history dating back to the 7th century. During this time settlers from Germany moved into the region and established small towns and villages along with agricultural plots of land. This region also has an important historic role, as it served as the bridge between trade routes from the North and South.

Over the centuries, many individuals with the last name Meinsen have come and gone, establishing their families in different parts of Germany and beyond. Today, Meinsen is a fairly common name, with people with the surname living all throughout Europe including France, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, and Poland. The majority of people carrying the Meinsen name still reside in the Harz region, although there are some who can now be found in the United States, Canada, and other global locations.

In terms of popularity, Meinsen currently ranks as the 4,371st most popular last name in Germany.

Variations of the surname Meinsen

Meinsen is a surname of German origin. It is derived from the given name Meinhard. The variants of Meinsen include Meensen, Meinnsen, Meinzen, Mainsen, Mainson, Maynsen, Maynson, Meindson, and Meineken.

The most common spelling of Meinsen is Meensen, which was the most popular spelling prior to the 19th century. This version has become more popular in the United States over time, as people in the United States have chosen to simplify their last name for easier spelling and pronunciation.

The other variants of Meinsen each have their own story and origin. Meinzen is a common spelling of Meinsen in Germany and Netherlands, where the German language is spoken and ancestral roots of the surname are more common. Meindson, Mainson, Maynson, and Meineken are variants of Meinsen that are specifically found in the United States due to the amount of German immigrants who moved to the United States in the late 19th century.

Regardless of the variant or spelling of Meinsen, all the surnames are still considered to have the same origin. They may have changed due to pronunciations, variations, and spellings, but they all come from the same original surname, Meinhard.

Famous people with the name Meinsen

• Rainer Meinsen: Rainer Meinsen was a German football player born in 1962 who played for clubs like Westfalia Herne and Westfalia Rhynern.
• Karen Meinsen-Koch: Karen Meinsen-Koch is a German equestrian who has competed in the World Equestrian Games for Germany.
• Marc Meinsen: Marc Meinsen is a German rugby union player who currently plays for the Hamburg Exiles Rugby Club.
• Kirsten Meinsen: Kirsten Meinsen is a former German table tennis champion, who won the 1976 German Open for the women's singles.
• Frank Meinsen: Frank Meinsen is a former German football player who played in the German Bundesliga and 2nd Bundesliga.
• Heinz Meinsen: Heinz Meinsen is a contemporary German painter & sculptor whose work explores the abstract shapes of nature.
• Peter Meinsen: Peter Meinsen is a German architect & landscape architect who has designed many urban and nature-based projects.
• Beatrix Meinsen-Ozdoby: Beatrix Meinsen-Ozdoby is a German composer & botanist who has composed a number of chamber music pieces.
• Sabine Meinsen-Tschirner: Sabine Meinsen-Tschirner is a German professor of geography at the University of Greifswald and has published widely in the fields of geomorphology and landscape ecology.
• Björn Meinsen: Björn Meinsen is an up-and-coming German football player currently playing for SV Babelsberg 03.

Other surnames

MeinsMeinshausenMeinsmaMeinssen