Surname Wening - Meaning and Origin

Wening: What does the surname Wening mean?

The last name Wening is derived from the Middle High German word "weningen," meaning "to turn," or to change direction when referring to movement. This surname is likely to have been first used to refer to someone who changed direction while doing something, such as a path or route.

The surname Wening is also believed to have originated as an occupational name, used to refer to someone who wove cloth. The root word of "weningen" was likely applied to those who wove cloth in order to describe the motion and skill of such a task. It could also simply have been applied to someone whose occupation required frequent changes of direction.

More recently, the name Wening is most commonly associated with the Haarlem region and Northern Germany, although those bearing the name are also found in the United States. As with other common last names, there are also regional and even subtle regional variations on the spelling, such as Weninger and Wenniger, that are equally shared.

Although the exact reason for the first reference of the surname Wening is difficult to pinpoint, it is an interesting example of how a few words can evolve to become a hereditary last name.

Wening: Where does the name Wening come from?

The last name Wening is an old German name, derived from the personal name Weningo, composed of the elements wenig (little) and non (name). It is most commonly found in Germany today, though it has spread to other countries such as the Netherlands, Denmark, and Austria. It can also be found in certain areas of the United States and Canada that had significant German immigration in the past.

The name is especially common in the states of Baden-Wurttemberg, Thuringia, Saxony-Anhalt, and Bavaria in Germany. Within these states, the name is most concentrated in the larger cities and towns along rivers and on the coasts. In Germany today, there are over 2,000 people with the last name Wening.

The name is also present in some other countries, including the Netherlands, Austria, the United States, Canada, and even Australia. In the United States, the name Wening is most commonly found in the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. In many parts of the country, the name has become assimilated into other last names, such as Weninger and Wyninger.

Overall, the last name Wening is still relatively rare outside of Germany. Though it has spread to other countries, it is most commonly found in the historic German regions of Europe, particularly in Germany and its neighboring countries.

Variations of the surname Wening

Wening is a variant spelling of the surname Wäning, which originates from the German language. It is derived from the word "Wähnung", meaning dwelling or habitation, so the literal translation of Wäning is "one who comes from the dwelling". Other variations include Waehnung, Waning, Wainen, Waninger, Waininger, and Weining.

Wening is a fairly common surname in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, as well as North America and the United Kingdom. It is also occasionally found elsewhere in Europe, but is more uncommon in other areas.

In recent years, there have been a variety of spellings used to refer to the Wening surname in North America and the United Kingdom, including Weing, Wennin, Wenning, Waening, and Waenning.

The Wening surname may also have come to some North American and British locations with immigrants from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland during the 17th and 18th centuries. In these cases, the spelling Waening, Waenning, Waning, Wainen, Waninger, or Waininger may be used.

Finally, the Wening surname is sometimes translated from the German name of Weining. Weining is the original village from which the Wening family likely originated, and therefore it is sometimes used as a surname. This name is less common when compared to the other spellings discussed above.

Famous people with the name Wening

• Kaja Wening: German singer and YouTuber who produces covers of popular songs and original music.
• Jürgen Wening: German composer and conductor.
• Johannes Wening: German organist, composer, and music teacher.
• Mike Wening: American professional bass angler.
• Solomon Wening: American lawyer, judge, and former U.S. Army officer.
• Harry B. Wening: American farmer, horse breeder, and politician.
• Tristan Wening: German film editor and director.
• Heike Wening: German theater, film, and television actress.
• Joachim Wening: German Roman Catholic priest.
• Tommi Wening: German contemporary artist.

Other surnames

Weninger