Surname Veenema - Meaning and Origin

Veenema: What does the surname Veenema mean?

The last name Veenema is a Dutch name derived from the Dutch words “veen” and “ma”, which translates to “peat moss” and “meadow”, respectively. This surname originated from families whose livelihoods revolved around farming and working with peat moss. These families likely lived in areas with large deposits of peat moss, such as in the Netherlands and Denmark.

The surname can further be broken down to “veene” plus “ma” to indicate a place where meadows and peat moss are abundant. Alternatively, it is believed the surname could have derived from a territorial name such as Veenberg, which was the name of a village in the province of Groningen during the 16th century.

As the use of surnames originated in the Middle Ages, it's likely that the Veenema surname had been in use for centuries before its first recorded use in the National Database of Dutch Surnames. The earliest recorded use of this surname was in 1647, when Claes Jansen Veenema was listed in a census within the province of Groningen.

Today, the last name Veenema is still prominent within the Netherlands. Oftentimes, those bearing the surname will use the name “van Veenema” or “Van Veenema” as a sign of nobility, signifying their status. It is believed that the surname, while still used in Holland, is also used in other parts of the world, such as in the United States, due to emigration throughout the centuries.

Veenema: Where does the name Veenema come from?

The last name Veenema is most commonly found in two countries today: the Netherlands and of Estonia.

In the Netherlands, the last name Veenema originates in the northern province of Fryslân (Frisia) where its precise origin is greatly contested. It is recorded in numerous parish registers dating as far back as 1569, and the earliest recorded bearer of the name is Paaert Veneema who was born in 1690 in the small village Latrum, just to the south of the city of Leeuwarden.

In Estonia, the last name Veenema is derived from the historically Estonian male first name Veenemane, which is thought to have been of Finnish origin in the early part of the 16th century. It is commonly found in the south-eastern county of Hiiumaa and in the north-eastern county of Ida-Virumaa. The earliest recorded bearer of this name in the country is Marjane Veenemane who was born in 1833 in the village of Kuusnurme, in Hiiumaa.

Overall, the last name Veenema is quite rare, and it appears to be relatively uncommon even in the two countries that it is most usually found in today. Despite this, it has a long and interesting history and still carries a certain degree of prestige in both the Netherlands and Estonia.

Variations of the surname Veenema

The surname Veenema is a patronymic name of Dutch origin, deriving from the name Veen, meaning 'fen'. Variants of the surname Veenema include Veinama, Veenman, Veinman, Veinima, Veenema, Veenman, Veinam, and Veinema. Spelling variations of Veenema include Veenim, Veenum, Veenimme, Veinam, Veineme, Van Veen, Von Veen, and Venema.

Surnames derived from the same Dutch origin as Veenema are Veenhuizen, Veenkamp, Veenbos, Veenendaal, Veeneman, Veenis, Veenstra, Veenvliet, and Veenhof.

Other variations and spellings are possible, depending on local pronunciation and dialect variations, but usually stem from a common Dutch root form, evolving over time. In some cases, the same surname may even be used in different countries to denote different families.

Veenema is not common outside of the Netherlands, but those bearing the name elsewhere have largely come from Dutch emigrant families. The modern Dutch spelling, Veldema, has been simplified from the original form, linking it to the Dutch word meaning 'field'. The anglicized version of Veenema is often rendered as Fielden, Fielding or a variation thereof. The name is also seen in many countries in Europe and North America, primarily through Dutch immigrants of the 17th to 19th centuries.

Famous people with the name Veenema

• Tom Veenema: Dutch politician and former Member of the European Parliament.
• Berlage Veenema: Dutch composer and violinist.
• Johannes Veenema: Dutch educator and psychologist.
• Jasper Veenema: Dutch biologist and science writer.
• Bram Veenema: Dutch artist and film conduit.
• Mieke Veenema: Dutch poet, novelist, and playwright.
• Eddy Veenema: Dutch teacher of classical music and conductor.
• Jos Veenema: Dutch pastor and pioneer in Christian literature.
• Titus Veenema: Dutch judge who served as president of the Court of Appeal in Amsterdam.
• Vincent Veenema: Dutch painter, sculptor, and printmaker.
• Marieke Veenema: Dutch actress who has featured in numerous films and television series.
• Martha Veenema: Dutch businesswoman, investor, and conservationist.
• Lucas Veenema: Dutch ice hockey player and coach.
• Isabella Veenema: Dutch politician and former Member of Parliament.
• Tommy Veenema: Dutch entrepreneur and venture capitalist.
• Wim Veenema: Dutch theologian and professor emeritus.
• Jantje Veenema: Dutch art historian and museum director.
• Herman Veenema: Dutch professor and former president of the University of Leiden.
• Willem Veenema: Dutch doctor and medical researcher.
• Dinie Veenema: Dutch cross-country skier and researcher.

Other surnames

VeenemanVeenemann