Surname Tammenga - Meaning and Origin

Tammenga: What does the surname Tammenga mean?

The surname Tammenga is a Dutch and Frisian name derived from the Middle Dutch words "tamming," which means "command," and the suffix "-a" denoting possessiveness. Thus, the name Tammenga can be interpreted to mean "one who commands."

Tammenga likely originated as a byname that was connected to the occupation of military commander, though it may also have been used in a religious or spiritual context. For example, the name may have been connected to a ‘tamme’ or ‘tammer’ who was a kind of religious leader in the Frisian church.

The first recorded use of the surname was in the 13th century in Northern Dutch regions. Over time, the surname spread throughout the Netherlands and to neighboring countries. Today the surname is still common in Northern Europe and pieced have been found in the Netherlands, Germany, and Scandinavia.

In modern times, the surname Tammenga continues to be associated with familiar values and positive qualities such as leadership, responsibility, trustworthiness, and respect. It has also been described as a name that reflects qualities of strength and determination—in keeping with its original interpretation as ‘one who commands.’

Tammenga: Where does the name Tammenga come from?

The last name Tammenga is mostly found in the Netherlands today. The name is derived from the Dutch word tamme which translates to tame. The name was most likely given as a nickname to someone who had a tame demeanor or behavior. It is most prevalent in the northern and western parts of the Netherlands, as well as in parts of Belgium, Germany and Scandinavia.

According to records, the earliest known recorded mention of the Tammenga name dates back to 1320 when one Johannes Thammeingio lived in the province of Groningen. Over time, the name spread throughout the Netherlands, eventually taking on variations in spelling such as Tammeinga, Tammeenstein, and Tamminga.

The Tammenga name can be found in prominent Dutch families today, including the Van der Tammenga family who are descended from Hermanus Van der Tammenga (1650-1723). The name is also traditionally tied to the Dutch city of Amsterdam, with the first recorded use of the name in Amsterdam occurring in 1650.

Today, there are many organizations and clubs that trace their lineage back to the Tammenga family. One example is the Tammenga Stichting, a foundation which promotes the preservation of the family’s heritage and history. There are currently thousands of Dutch individuals with the last name Tammenga, many of whom are well-known industry and business leaders.

Variations of the surname Tammenga

Tammenga is a Dutch surname originating from the province of Overijssel, and it is found very rarely outside of The Netherlands. There are several variations of the spelling of this surname, including Tamme, Tammema, Tammee and Tammeijer. Depending on the particular branch of the family, the surname may also appear as Tammeman, Tammeijer, Tamminga, Tameling, Tamelinga or any other combination of these letters.

The Tammenga family is believed to be related to the Dutch families of Van Heukelom, Van der Heide and Raaijmakers, and can trace their relatives back to the early 1500s in the Netherlands. The other relatives of the Tammengas can be traced to the towns of Deventer, Balkbrug, Zwolle, Bathmen, Ootmarsum, Gramsbergen, Lettele, Putten and Hasselt.

The variation of the surname explains the origin of this name. The suffix “enga” is believed to have been derived from the Old Dutch word “engeen”, which translates to “border lining”. This suggests that the ancestors of the Tammenga family were delegated to serve on the borderlands, and took on the surname Tammenga in the process.

The Tammenga family is one of the oldest recorded Dutch families, with records dating as far back as the 16th century. It is believed that the family had a significant influence during the Dutch Golden Age, and several members of the family made their mark in the military, civil service and banking. As the family spread throughout the Netherlands, it also spread into various other countries around the world, including the United States and Canada.

Famous people with the name Tammenga

• Morlen Tammenga: Morlen Tammenga is a Dutch professional footballer who is currently playing as a Midfielder for Go Ahead Eagles in the Dutch Eerste Divisie.
• Elsje Tammenga: Elsje Tammenga was a Dutch politician who served in the Senate of the Netherlands for the Labour Party from 1992 to 1998.
• Tjibbe Tammenga: Tjibbe Tammenga was a Dutch ceramist and sculptor and was one of the founders of the town of Nieuwlande in the Netherlands.
• Jelle Tammenga: Jelle Tammenga is a Dutch international cricketer who has represented his country at U19 Cricket World Cup and the ACC T20 Cup.
• Bob Tammenga: Bob Tammenga is a well-known Dutch film actor who has appeared in many Dutch films including the popular Dutch mini-series 'Verliefd op Ibiza' (In Love with Ibiza).
• Klaas Tammenga: Klaas Tammenga is a Dutch doctor and the author of 'The Health Revolution', a book about natural health and holistic medicine.
• Johannes Tammenga: Johannes Tammenga is a Dutch historian, writer, and public speaker who is the author of 'De Nederlanders In Indonesië', a history of the Dutch presence in Indonesia.
• Ansje Tammenga: Ansje Tammenga is a Dutch children's writer who has published numerous books such as 'The Little Rabbit Who Gets Lost' and 'The Magic Hen'.
• Wytze Tammenga: Wytze Tammenga is a Dutch marine biologist and author who has written several books about the sea and is known as a leading expert on marine life in the North Sea.
• Piet Tammenga: Piet Tammenga is a Dutch sculptor known for his work at Rotterdam's famous Euromast and his sculptures of classical Dutch literary figures.

Other surnames

TammenTammena