Surname Vens - Meaning and Origin
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Vens: What does the surname Vens mean?
The last name Vens is most likely of German origin, and may be derived from the diminutive form of the name Johannes, meaning "John". The name first appeared in Germany in Bavaria during the 14th century as Johannsvene and gradually developed into the more familiar form Vens. It also has the potential to have French origins, with the suffix “vains” from the phrase “vain de liver” meaning “by merit”.
In German, Vens can indicate someone hailing from or living near the Venn district. It can also reference a fish-woman, or someone with characteristics or qualities of a fish, which was originally a derogatory term for a woman believed to be capable of predicting success at fishing.
In various countries, the surname Vens has been recorded also as Veans, Thians, Fiens, Fens, Venz, Vense, Wenks and Vensh. During the 20th century, the surname Vens was found in the US, the UK, Germany, Austria, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, and Israel.
Throughout Europe, there are many people who are proud to bear the name Vens for various reasons—their communal history, their occupational history of fishermen, and possibly their spiritual unnamed ancestor, the fish-woman. Today, it is thought that many people with the last name Vens have descended from the first family of Johannsvene from the 14th century.
Order DNA origin analysisVens: Where does the name Vens come from?
The last name Vens is most commonly found in Belgium and the Netherlands. It is also present in regions where Dutch and Belgian people have immigrated to like the United States, Canada, Australia, and South Africa.
In Belgium, this last name is especially concentrated in the region of East Flanders and in nearby Luxembourg. Dutch-speaking people who have immigrated to the United States have brought the name with them to certain pockets of the country, such as Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Ohio.
The last name Vens is quite popular in areas that are traditionally Dutch or Belgian, as the name is derived from the Dutch word “Veen”, which means ‘swamp’ or ‘bog’. Vens is actually a diminutive form of the word, and interestingly can also be spelled “Van” in Dutch. It is believed to have originated as a form of patronymic, where a father and son shared a name that initially referred to the location of their family home or ancestral land.
In addition to Belgium, the Netherlands, and areas of the US, Vens is also quite common in English-speaking countries such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, where Dutch and Belgian immigrants have settled in recent decades.
Overall, although the last name Vens is originally Dutch, it is now quite common in many parts of the world, particularly in countries that were formerly Dutch, Belgian, or were affected by Dutch and Belgian immigration.
Variations of the surname Vens
The surname Vens is of Dutch origin. It is derived from the Dutch personal name 'Fennes', which is a combination of the elements 'fena' meaning “fen” and “vis” meaning “fish”. As a result, the surname Vens is thought to refer to a person living near a fen or marshland. Variants of the surname include Van Vens, Van Vensen, and Venne. The surname can also be found in different spellings, such as Van Vens, Venz, Ven, and Vence.
The surname Vens is commonly found throughout the Netherlands and Belgium, with a strong presence in the Dutch province of Zeeland. It can also be found in other countries abroad, particularly in the United States and Canada, where its spelling has evolved over the centuries.
Related surnames of the same origin include Fenne, Fennebeul, Fens, Fennes, Fenten, Fennebrink, Fennema, and Fennes. All of these surnames are derived from the Dutch personal name “Fennes”, and all of them refer to a person living near a fen or marshland.
Famous people with the name Vens
- Jan Vens: Former Olympic archer from Belgium known for competing at both the 1964 and 1968 Summer Olympics.
- Igor Vens: Russian actor and musician who has appeared in over 10 television series and films.
- Michael Vens: Former professional football player who was drafted by the New England Patriots in the 1985 NFL Draft.
- Avia Vens: Spanish football coach and former player who now manages Honduran club Olimpia.
- Conny Vens: Dutch artist known for her vibrant and abstract artwork which incorporates various mediums such as painting and illustration.
- Matthias Vens: Belgian professional cyclist who won the opening prologue of the 2012 Tour de France and finished sixth overall in the same race.
- John Vens: American actor and television host who has appeared in various films and series.
- Chris Vens: Former Olympic swimmer from Australia who competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics and was voted Swimmer of the Year in 1985.
- Marco Vens: Dutch darts player who competed on the PDC World Darts Championships in 2019.
- Caesare Vens: Italian composer and musicologist who ran the music department in Ferrara.