Surname Meinsma - Meaning and Origin
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Meinsma: What does the surname Meinsma mean?
The last name Meinsma is an old Dutch, German, and Scandinavian surname. It is believed to be derived from the Old Norse word "mein" meaning "mine" and "sma," an old word meaning "small". The two words combined signify a person who was originally believed to be one who was small in size and a holder of a small farm or estate.
The name is most commonly seen in the Netherlands and Germany, although it is also found throughout Scandinavia, Belgium, France, England, and Scotland. In Holland, the name is found mainly in the region of Friesland, although it is also found in other areas.
Meinsma is an uncommon last name and there aren't many families with this surname. However, the name generally indicates good fortune, long standing family tradition, courage, and independence.
Regardless of where one's family originates from, Meinsma is a proud and noble last name. It serves as a reminder of one's ancestors and a symbol of the struggles and hardships they faced in order to survive and find success. Today, it can also be seen as a sign of stability, strength, and a strong family legacy.
Order DNA origin analysisMeinsma: Where does the name Meinsma come from?
The Meinsma surname is most commonly found in the Netherlands today. It is particularly common in the northern provinces of Friesland, Groningen, and Drenthe. The family name also appears in the Dutch colony of Suriname in South America.
Meinsma is an old Frisian patronymic surname derived from the given name Meinse, which was a short form of the older name Meindert. The name Meindert originally derived from the Proto-Germanic root *maizin meaning “mighty” or “strong”.
In the Netherlands, Meinsma is generally a buried-roots surname, meaning that many of those with the surname cannot trace their ancestry back to the family's original founder. Despite this, the surname is still quite common, especially in the rural areas near the North Sea.
In the United States, many immigrants from Holland who bore the Meinsma surname arrived in Michigan, Minnesota and other Midwestern states from the late 19th century onward, though the name is still much rarer in the US than in the Netherlands.
Variations of the surname Meinsma
The surname Meinsma is a patronymic, deriving from the given name Meins, which was popular in the Middle Ages. Variants of the surname generally include Meins, Meinz, Meinsen, Meinzen, Meinzer, Meinzma, Miens, and Miensma. There are also rare variants of the name such as Meinstein, Menz, Menzen, and Menzma.
Spellings of the surname Meinsma differ depending on the country or region in which it is found. For example, Dutch spellings include Meensma, Meinzer, Meinzma, and Mzensma. German variations include Meentsma, Meintzma, Minsma, and Menzma.
The surnames Menz, Mins, Menzen, Minsen, Miens, and Miensma are all related to the surname Meinsma, but they are primarily found in the United States and Canada.
There are also related surnames that carry the same origin as Meinsma, such as Meinte, Menten, Minz, Minze, Minzea, and Minzer. Those surnames mean "son of Minten" or "son of Meinten" and are derived from a given name Mint. This given name was often used interchangeably with the given name Meint.
Overall, the surname Meinsma and its variants have a long history and wide distribution that span back to the Middle Ages. Even today, these surnames can be found all over the world, though the spelling may vary.
Famous people with the name Meinsma
- Catherine Meinsma: Inspirational speaker and author, CMS Associates.
- Roel Meinsma: Actor, known for his roles in the Dutch films Nachtrit (2015) and De Bunker (2014).
- Tjitske Meinsma: Dutch actress who appeared in Mariken (1998), Gagga (2007), and Als je verliefd wordt (2009).
- Henry Meinsma: Dutch former competitive figure skater who competed internationally representing The Netherlands in ice dancing between 1984 and 1985.
- Johan Meinsma: Dutch art historian and curator, well-known for his in-depth research of the dark period of Dutch art, 1580-1620.
- Freerk Meinsma: Formerly a scientist and researcher of mathematics at the University of Groningen in The Netherlands.
- Kasper Meinsma: Founder and creative designer of the brand Meshmesh, specializing in lamp creation.
- Rik Meinsma: Political scientist and professional musician, he gives lectures on the history of Dutch politics and military history at Leiden University.
- Paul Meinsma: Dutch Architectural Emeritus Professor, graduated from TU Delft with a degree in architecture in 1982.
- Avne Meinsma: Danish journalist and travel writer, author of many books about her experiences travelling across Europe, South America, and the Middle East.