Surname Waning - Meaning and Origin

Waning: What does the surname Waning mean?

The last name Waning is of Anglo-Saxon Anglo origin and is derived from the Old-English personal name Waning. This name is composed of two elements, wae, which means to wail or moan, anding, which means a product of the action described by the first element. The name likely referred to someone who was particularly tearful or sad.

The surname Waning began to appear in English records as early as the 14th century, when Walter Waning was noted in the Assize Rolls of Gloucestershire in 1309. Several variations of the name have been recorded over the centuries, such as Wayning, Waynning, and Waninge.

Today, the name Waning is found throughout Britain and in other countries, including the United States, Canada, and Australia. People bearing the Waning surname typically have occupations such as farmers, laborers, merchants, tradesmen, schoolteachers, and clergy.

The Waning ancestral home was in the county of Kent, located in the southeastern corner of England. While some people with the Waning surname have moved around over the centuries, the Kent region continues to be the most common location for those with this name.

Waning: Where does the name Waning come from?

The last name Waning is most commonly found in the Netherlands and other parts of Northern Europe, such as Germany and Denmark. It is particularly large in the Nederland-Delfzijl region of the Netherlands, where 4.21 people per 1000 are recorded as having the name in the most recent census. In Germany, nearly 1000 people bear the Waning Last Name and the same is true in Denmark and other Scandinavian countries.

Although not as common in the United States, there is still a small number of people with the rugged Waning last name. Records have been traced back to the early 20th century when a Dutch immigrant named Cornelius Waning sailed to the United States and settled in Galvin County, Georgia. Other records indicate that by the mid-20th century many Wanings had moved to the New Jersey and California areas.

Today, based on online directory listings, the last name is spread throughout the United States with the largest concentrations existing in the Midwest, especially in Illinois and Wisconsin. Other states where one can find the name are Ohio, Georgia, Missouri and Indiana.

The Waning family will likely remain an important part of Dutch culture, but as more members of the family move to other countries, the family name may become more widespread throughout the world.

Variations of the surname Waning

The surname Waning is an anglicized surname of Dutch and German origin that derives from a place name and could also be spelled as Waninge, Waehnig, Wening, Waening, Waenning or Wahnig. The roots of the name come from the Middle Dutch term ‘waning’, which translates to ‘maize’. The name was likely given to a person who lived near or owned a field of maize.

In addition to the variants of the name mentioned above, the surname may also have appeared in spelling variations such as Waehnig, Waningh, Waninge, Wenning, Waening, Waenning as well as Wahnig, Wahnigk, Wahnigke, Wahnicker, Wanicker, Wanigk, Wanigke, Wanick, and Wanig.

These various spellings and forms of the surname have been found in a variety of countries throughout the world. Waehnig, for instance, is most common in Germany and Scandinavia while Wening is primarily found in Austria. Wahnig can be traced back to Germany, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic. The surname Wanig, meanwhile, mostly appears in non-Germanic countries such as Hungary, Belarus, and Lithuania.

In the United States, all of the surname's variations are fairly common. Waning is by far the most popular form of the name, with records showing that it first appeared in the US in the mid-1800s. Other forms like Waninge, Waehnig, Waenning, and Wahnig have also been found in the US since around the same time.

Overall, the surname Waning has a variety of spellings and forms throughout the world, making it difficult to trace its exact origin. However, regardless of the form the name appears in, the roots of the surname are of Dutch and German origin and can be traced back to the Middle Dutch word "waning", which translates to ‘maize’.

Famous people with the name Waning

• Giles Waning: entrepreneur and philanthropist
• Jack Waning: former professional swimmer
• Robert Waning: American actor
• David Waning: professional golfer
• Peter Waning: musician
• Patricia Waning: yoga instructor
• Caleb Waning: professional football player
• Charles Waning: investor
• Katherine Waning: singer-songwriter
• Eric Waning: model

Other surnames

WaningerWäninger