Surname Wenicke - Meaning and Origin
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Wenicke: What does the surname Wenicke mean?
The last name Wenicke is of German origin, and was originally a locational name for someone from a place named Wenicke in Prussia. It has since become more widespread, and is now used as a surname in many German-speaking countries.
The etymology of the name is unknown, but it is thought to be derived from the Old High German word "wenec" or "wenic", which means "locust" or "grasshopper". This could indicate a heraldic crest, or it might be indicative of the residence of people who made a living catching locusts at the time of its formation.
There are a few variations of the name, including Wennig, Wenig, Winaecke, Wenning, and Wenneck, though the most common is Wenicke. It is also found in Prussian archival documents as Wenige.
The meanings associated with the name tend to reflect the history of its formation. It could mean " locale of the locust", "resident of Wenicke", or "descendent of one who lives near locusts". It could also be an occupational surname for someone who was a professional bug-catcher.
Ultimately, the name Wenicke is reflective of a German history and culture. It is an interesting surname, with a meaning that likely dates back to pre-Christian Germany.
Order DNA origin analysisWenicke: Where does the name Wenicke come from?
The last name Wenicke is most commonly seen in Germany today, and is thought to have originated from the northern coastal region of Schleswig-Holstein during the early days of the German Empire. The name is thought to have started in the village of Wenigke outside of the city of Bremen, where it was an occupational name for a miller. Records from 1618 do mention this family, so it is likely that the name was in existence before that.
Since then, the name has likely spread to the other German speaking countries around Europe. The use of the name appears to still be mostly concentrated in Germany, according to various genealogy and census sites online. In the latest German census of 2013, the combined variation of Wenicke, Wernicke and Wennicke was found to have the highest frequency in the Hamburg, Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony regions of the country.
Overall, the name has stayed somewhat restricted to the Germanic regions. However, families with the surname are believed to have emigrated to the United States in the mid to late 19th century, where the name is still present in large numbers and has even adapted into the American spelling 'Wenck'. Other countries that have seen the presence of the name are, among others, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom.
Variations of the surname Wenicke
The surname Wenicke has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include:
Wenig, Weingart, Weineck, Wenek, Winnick, Venik, Wemick, Wening, Weninger, Vening, Wienicke, and Venick.
The derivation of these surnames is believed to come from German and Jewish origins. The name Wenicke means “winery” and is used to describe an individual who was employed in a winemaking business. The 19th century saw a large influx of German immigrants to the United States whose surnames became Anglicized resulting in the many variants of the name Wenicke.
The spellings of these names have also evolved over time. Records from ancient German documents use spellings such as Weninger or Wienicke, while records from the mid to late 19th century used Wenig or Weingart as common spellings.
Variations of the surname Wenicke include Weineck and Wenek, which are derived from the Polish phonetic spelling of the name. The surnames Winnick and Venik were also derived from the early spelling of Wenicke as they are variants of the name contained within the Polish language.
The surname Wemick is another variant which may be considered to have the same origin as Wenicke. This spelling was used by German immigrants who came to the United States in the late 19th century and experienced an Anglicization of their surname.
The early American spelling of the surname was Vening, and this spelling was used by German immigrants who arrived in the mid-1800s. This spelling was documented in church baptismal records and was one of the most common variants used by the Wenicke family.
Overall, the surname Wenicke has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. From German and Jewish roots, the name’s variants and spellings have evolved over time to form the modern spellings used today.
Famous people with the name Wenicke
- Sam Wenicke: Sam Wenicke is an American off-Broadway theater actor, primarily known for his roles in plays like “A New Brain” and “The Boys in the Band.”
- Max Wenicke: Max Wenicke is a modern artist, fashion designer, and educator from Baltimore, Maryland.
- Sarah Wenicke: Sarah Wenicke is a German freestyle swimmer who has competed in three consecutive Olympic games since 2004.
- Erika Wenicke: Erika Wenicke is an American politician and former teacher who is currently a member of the Iowa House of Representatives.
- Henlie Wenicke: Henlie Wenicke is an Australian actress, model, dancer, and singer who has appeared in television shows like “Spicks and Specks” and “Home and Away.”
- Stefan Wenicke: Stefan Wenicke is a German record producer, arranger, and composer who has worked with many major musical acts such as Pink Floyd, John Miles, and Marillion.
- Dominic Wenicke: Dominic Wenicke is a British actor, best known for his role as Lord Dyson in the historical drama “The Crown.”
- Peter Wenicke: Peter Wenicke is an American professional tennis player, currently ranked as one of the top players in the US.
- Robert Wenicke: Robert Wenicke is an American poet who has written several books of poetry, and taught at a number of universities.
- Jonathan Wenicke: Jonathan Wenicke is a Swedish film director and screenwriter who has written and directed films such as “A Hijacking” and “Orange Summer.”