Surname Weinans - Meaning and Origin
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Weinans: What does the surname Weinans mean?
The last name Weinans is of Dutch origin and is believed to have come from the Middle Dutch word winen, which was a word used to describe the trade or dealing in wine and other alcoholic beverages. It is likely that individuals with the name Weinans were merchants or brewers of alcoholic drinks in the past, although this is not specifically documented. The surname could also refer to a family or tribal group of wine producers.
The name Weinans is found primarily in the Netherlands, but there have been reported occurrences of this surname in other countries including the United States, Australia, and France. It is also derived from the Dutch given name Winand, which is the pet form of Winandus, which is itself derived from the given name Winfried.
Over time, the name has evolved into a variety of spellings, including Weinnans, Weenas, Weinnisse, Wienands, Winings and Veenans. Some of these versions are still found today, although the original form of Weinans is retaining its popularity as a surname in the Netherlands.
In general, the name Weinans is thought to be associated with the wine trade and may indicate a historical relationship of the family to the wine industry. It may also be related to the Dutch Winand given name and could indicate a family or individual association with particular spiritual and religious beliefs.
Order DNA origin analysisWeinans: Where does the name Weinans come from?
The last name Weinans is mostly found in the Netherlands. It is a Dutch surname originating from the Middle Ages. The name first appears in a 12th-century witness list, and it is believed to have derived from the surname Wienand, which is of Old Germanic origin. The earliest recorded record of the name is from 1495 and it was found near the Dutch border in the East Frisian area of Germany.
Weinans can also be found in other parts of Europe, such as Belgium, France, and England. It is an uncommon name in the United States. The US Census Bureau's 2016 National Population Distribution Survey noted that out of the approximate 7 million surnames found in US records, only 108 were Weinans.
Nevertheless, Weinans is still a popular surname in the Netherland: in 2020, it was ranked 352 on the list of the most popular surnames in the Netherlands. For centuries, it has been predominantly associated with people from the Dutch provinces of Overijssel, Friesland, and the Dutch-speaking region of Belgium.
The Weinans surname is derived from the Germanic word wien, which means “to be silent.” It is likely that those who bore the surname were known for their quiet, contemplative natures. In the modern era, those bearing the Weinans surname represent a wide variety of cultures, backgrounds, and interests.
Variations of the surname Weinans
Weinans is a surname with a couple of different variants and spellings. First, it is common to see Weinans spelled as Wienans, with an 'e' instead of an 'a'. This alternate spelling is primarily used in Dutch-speaking countries. This same spelling change can also be seen in the variants Wenans and Wynans. Secondly, some of the variants of Weinans pronounce the first 'e' as a long 'a' sound, so it is sometimes seen as Wainans.
As far as surnames of the same origin, Weinans could be derived from a few different sources. In some cases, it could be a contraction of the German and Dutch surname Wieneke, which itself originates from a personal name. It may also come from the Dutch name De Wienen, which means "belonging to a place by the river," which indicates a possible locale of origin. Finally, it may also be derived from the Dutch surname Van Weenen, which means belonging to weenen, or "to mourn."
No matter how it is spelled, the surname Weinans has a strong Dutch heritage and could open many doors to family history research.
Famous people with the name Weinans
- Martin Weinans, a Dutch geophysicist based in Utrecht, the Netherlands.
- Paul Weinans, a former Dutch professional footballer who played abroad for clubs in France, Belgium, and Sweden.
- Robert Weinans, a Dutch musician who released several albums in the Netherlands during the mid-1970s.
- Tony Weinans, an American professional golf player who competed on various tour circuits and was a member of the PGA Tour in the United States.
- André Weinans, a retired Dutch cyclist who competed in professional road cycling events from 1972-1990.
- Frank Weinans, a Dutch sport shooter who participated in multiple Olympic Games and holds a Dutch record for highest Olympic medals earned in shooting (2 gold and 2 bronze).
- Hansel Weinans, a Dutch professional ice hockey player who competed and played in the Netherlands, Germany and the USA.
- Margaret Weinans, an Australian environmental scientist who is a professor in marine and aquatic science at the University of Newcastle.
- Oscar Weinans, a Dutch editor and author who has published several books.
- Wouter Weinans, a Dutch politician who was a member of the Tweede Kamer, the Dutch legislative assembly.