Surname Wenning - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Wenning: What does the surname Wenning mean?
The last name Wenning is derived from the Middle English word wening, which means “waning,” or going from a state of dominance to a state of decline. The name, therefore, could have been given to someone in a family or group who was seen as losing favor among their peers. It could also refer to a period of decline, such as an economic downturn or a moral dilemma.
The surname is most common in northern Germany, specifically around the state of Lower Saxony, and is most often associated with the Dutch or Dutch-German culture. Its roots in New York and Pennsylvania are linked to Dutch settlers who arrived in the late 1600s and 1700s. These immigrants carried with them an understanding of the meaning of the name, which has endured even today.
The alternative spelling Wening has also been used, although it’s not clear why this variation exists. This spelling is most commonly found in England, Australia, and New Zealand, as these countries received their English-speaking settlers from the Dutch.
The origin of the name Wenning is likely linked to the Middle English verb “wennen,” meaning “to become accustomed” or “to get used to something.” This could be interpreted as a family or group whose fortunes, or rise and fall, becomes familiar with time.
In any case, Wenning is a name with a long and complex history. It transcends time and culture, and today, is a common surname throughout much of the English-speaking world.
Order DNA origin analysisWenning: Where does the name Wenning come from?
The last name Wenning is most commonly associated with Germany, and is likely German in origin. It is still common in Germany today, particularly in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia where it is frequently seen among the top ten surnames. The spelling of the surname may vary depending on the region, with some areas using Winnig, Winning, or Wenninger instead.
Outside of Germany, it is found in several other countries, although to a much lesser degree. It has been present in the United Kingdom since at least the 16th century, though mostly in areas with connections to modern day Germany or Northern Europe. In the Netherlands, the Netherlands Antilles, South Africa, and the United States, it is found in areas with significant German populations. In the United States, Wenning is concentrated in Pennsylvania and Ohio - both states having received significant numbers of German immigrants.
Therefore, the last name Wenning is still common in Germany, as well as in the United Kingdom, Netherlands, and those regions with significant German communities in the United States.
Variations of the surname Wenning
The surname Wenning has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The most common variants and spellings are Winnin, Winning, Winnings, Wynnin, Wynning and Wynnings.
The surnames are derived from a variety of Germanic personal names beginning with "Win," which is an old Germanic element meaning " friend "or "joy" and also from Old English "wine," which means wine or joy. This element combined with "ing," an independent suffix meaning "people of," to form a patronymic surname. Other variants of the name Wenning include Wening, Wennink, Wennekin, Weninger, Wennings, Wenninger, Wenninghausen and Wenningham.
Other Germanic surnames derived from the same origin as Wenning include Winfield, Winningham, Wellington and Winston. These variants and spellings of Wenning are mainly found in Germany, the Netherlands, and other parts of Europe.
Wenning is also found as a Jewish surname, as many Jewish families adopted German surnames upon arriving in Germany in the 1700's and 1800's. Some variants and spellings of the name in a Jewish context include Winne, Winnin, Winnicker, Winnickell, Winnig, Winninger, and Winokur.
In summary, the surname Wenning can be found in many forms all over the world. From Germany to the Netherlands and even in Jewish contexts, the surname and its variants can be found with a variety of spellings.
Famous people with the name Wenning
- Christine Wenning, French skier who competed in the 2002 Winter Olympics
- Curt Wenning, American professional baseball player
- Eric Wenning, German football player
- Hugh Anthony Desailly Wenning, British naval officer who served in the Royal Navy
- Jack Wenning, American professional football player
- Marie Wenning, German-born American artist
- Robert G. Wenning, American educator and author
- Steve Wenning, Swedish film and TV composer
- Tim Wenning, basketball coach and former professional basketball player
- Willy Wenning, Dutch comic artist and illustrator