Surname Rennings - Meaning and Origin

Rennings: What does the surname Rennings mean?

The last name Rennings is of German origin and is derived from the old German name Rennin, which was likely derived from a personal name. This could mean that the name itself has roots in the word "rennen," which translates to "run" or "race." This could suggest that one of the original ancestors of the family had a particular talent for running. Alternatively, the name could be derived from an occupational source, and might have been originally given to a person whose job had to do with horses or stables.

In Germany, the name Rennings is most commonly found in the state of Lower Saxony. It is also a relatively rare last name overall, with only around 600 individuals currently bearing it.

The origins and meaning of the last name offer a little insight into the ancestral origins of the family members who currently bear it. Their surname may refer to an ancient skill or occupation, and it is likely that the family's German heritage plays a large role in their identity.

Rennings: Where does the name Rennings come from?

The surname Rennings is most commonly found today in Germany. According to the Genealogical database Deutsche Familienkunde, it originated in Germany some time before the 14th century and has since spread over Europe. It is quite popular in Germany, with an estimated 4,000 people bearing the surname in the country as of 2020.

The surname also appears in the United States, especially Michigan and Wisconsin. This is likely the result of German immigrants in the 19th century who moved to these states in search of better economic opportunities. It is also somewhat common in Canada, where the main patterns of immigration from Germany took place.

Outside of those areas, the surname Rennings appears sporadically in the records of other countries such as England, France, Sweden, Norway, and the Netherlands. It is likely that these people are descended from Germans who emigrated to the countries in question around the time of the Napoleonic Wars.

Based on the records available, it appears that the surname Rennings is most strongly connected to Germany, where many of its bearers can still be found today. Meanwhile, its presence in other countries has dwindled as a result of migration and assimilation.

Variations of the surname Rennings

The surname Rennings is most commonly spelled as Rennings, but there are also other variants and spellings that have come out over time, all of which are the same origin. Other variants include Rening, Renning, Renninger, Renningen, Renningsen and Renningson.

In some cases, the name can be spelt as “Rankings”. This is because some of the early variants had a “k”. The spelling changed over time, and eventually dropped the “k”, resulting in the modern “Rennings” spelling.

Surnames derived from Rennings can also be found in parts of Europe. The Dutch variant is “Reninger,” while the German and Swiss variant is “Renningen.”

In the United States, the name Rennings saw a revival as a given name in the 20th century. The most often reported spelling variant is "Renningson."

Rennings is a testament to how the different language dialects and pronunciations of old have evolved over time. It is fascinating to explore the many variants and spellings of one name that stands for a shared history.

Famous people with the name Rennings

• Bob Renning: former defensive lineman in the National Football League
• Bobbi Renning: Canadian figure skater
• Ryan Renning: award-winning film composer
• Derek Renning: British World War II paratrooper
• Kylee Renning: Australian diver and Olympic medalist
• Carmel Renning: Broadway actress
• Tony Renning: professional wrestler
• Thomas Rennings: Dutch actor
• Bart Rennings: Dutch field hockey player
• Arnold Rennings: German serial entrepreneur and investor

Other surnames

Renning