Surname Vonk - Meaning and Origin
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Vonk: What does the surname Vonk mean?
The last name Vonk is a Dutch name derived from the Middle Dutch word for “fox”, “vos”. The name is often translated as “fox” in English. It is a common name in the Netherlands and is known as a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from the first name of the father or a paternal ancestor of the bearer.
Although Vonk is not a unique surname, it has certain distinguishing features. People bearing this last name are often proud of their Dutch heritage. This is reflected in many of the Vonks continuing to use traditional Dutch celebration and church customs. People bearing the Vonk name are also known for hard work, persistence and loyalty.
Historically, Vonk was mostly a farming name. During the 1900s, many of those bearing the surname emigrated to the United States and other parts of the world due to religious persecution and economic hardship.
The Vonk name has been prominent in Dutch royalty, business, education and the arts throughout history, particularly in Amsterdam. Vonks have played a large role in the Dutch economy and this is often what many think of when the surname is mentioned in the Netherlands.
Today, it is estimated that there are over 150,000 people with the Vonk surname in the Netherlands and another 5-10,000 in other countries. These figures may be contested as many have taken on other, anglicized, surnames over the years. Regardless, the Vonk last name remains a prominent part of the Dutch heritage and has contributed significantly to the development of the Netherlands over the centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisVonk: Where does the name Vonk come from?
The last name Vonk is most common in the Netherlands and Belgium today. It is believed to have originated in the 13th century and may be linked to medieval trade routes between the two countries.
In the Netherlands, Vonk is largely concentrated in the southeast and in the provinces of South Holland and North Holland. It is one of the most common surnames in the Netherlands, where it is found in all but two of the country’s twelve provinces. It is most prevalent in the city of Rotterdam, where it can be found on nearly 12,000 birth certificates.
In Belgium, the last name Vonk is most frequently found in the province of Flanders. It is the tenth-most popular surname in the country, with over 5,000 individuals bearing it. The largest concentration is located in the cities of Sint-Truiden and Vilvoorde.
Vonk is also found in Germany, but the number of bearers is significantly lower. It is believed that those with the last name in field of origin may have emigrated during the industrial revolution.
With the increasing global mobility, Vonk is becoming more widespread. It can now be found in other European countries, the United States, Australia, and even South America.
Variations of the surname Vonk
The surname Vonk is a Dutch and German topographic and patronymic surname of unknown origin. It is said to be derived from a nickname derived from the Old Germanic word ‘wunken’ which translates to ‘bathed in pool’.
Vonk is usually found in the Low Countries, the German region, and lands that used to be part of the Holy Roman Empire in Central Europe. This is mainly because most of the original families who had this surname hailed from that region. This is evidenced by the fact that the surname Vonk appears in the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Denmark and Austria.
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for Vonk include, but are not limited to Van Groeningen, Van Honk, Honk, Honks, Wönck, Wönik, Voink, and Voinks.
In some areas, like the Netherlands, the Vonk surname can also be shortened to Honk or Honks, and it is sometimes found spelled as Voink or Voinks. The Dutch form of the Vonk surname, Van Honk, has also produced the spelling variants Van Groeningen in The Netherlands, and the German variant Wönck, Wönik.
The German variants of this surname, Wönck and Wönik, are most commonly found in Germany and Austria. Meanwhile, the variants of Vonk and Van Honk, found in the Low countries, have become relatively common.
Overall, the surname Vonk is a common surname in the Low Countries, Germany, parts of former Germany, Austria and the Scandinavian countries. Variants of the same name include Van Groeningen, Van Honk, Honk, Honks, Wönck, Wönik, Voink, and Voinks.
Famous people with the name Vonk
- Jochem Vonk: Former Dutch international footballer
- Henk Vonk: Dutch racing cyclist
- Jan Willem Vonk: Dutch physician, specializing in medical oncology
- Peter Vonk: Dutch speed skater
- Chris Vonk: Dutch horror author
- P. Vonk: Dutch philosophical writer
- H.W. von der Dunk: Swiss engineer
- Harald Vonk: Dutch actor
- Jacob Cornelis Vonk: Dutch composer
- Arie Vonk: Israeli architect
- Willem Vonk: Dutch photographer
- Jan Willem Vonk: Dutch mathematician and biogerontologist
- Karel Vonk: Dutch entomologist
- Jan Willem Vonk: Dutch cell biologist
- Hans Van Vonk: Dutch songwriter
- R.H. Vonk: Dutch film director
- Wilma Vonk: Dutch Olympic swimmer
- Kim Vonk: Dutch professional swimmer
- Ietje Vonk: Dutch discus thrower
- Annelies Vonk: Dutch cyclist