Surname Whennan - Meaning and Origin

Whennan: What does the surname Whennan mean?

The last name Whennan is an English and Scottish surname, derived from the Middle English phrase ‘wen nan,’ which means ‘little one.’ It is thought to have been used as a nickname for someone who was young and small, likely an endearing term of affection. The spelling of the name has changed over time, with variants such as Wynnen, Wynan, Wynon, and Winnan also appearing in records.

The earliest records of this surname date back to the twelfth century in England, when the name Wynnen appeared in documents relating to Sefton Church in Lancashire, and the Winchester Pipe Rolls of 1225. In Scotland, it is first found in the string of surnames recorded in 1296 during the Wars of Independence between Scotland and England, which included the name ‘Wenand.’

The Whennan surname appears in records throughout England and Scotland, indicating a long history in these countries. There are numerous records of individuals bearing this name, ranging from John Wynnen of Yorkshire in 1314, to John Winnan of Cambridge in 1524.

Though the origin of the surname is English, records indicate that it may have been brought overseas by emigrants from the British Isles. Records show that William Wynnan arrived in Jamaica in 1681, while John Wynnon arrived in New England 1649. It is thought that this is where the surname may have been anglicised to Wennan, and eventually Whennan.

Today, the surname is still in use in England, Scotland, and the United States, among other countries that were established through the British Empire. For those who bear the name, it is a reminder of the history of their ancestors who first made it their own many centuries ago.

Whennan: Where does the name Whennan come from?

The last name Whennan is not common today, but it is a surname with roots mainly in the United Kingdom, with some bearers also found in other parts of the world. The surname is likely derived from the Old Norse proper name Vinnarr. The name likely originated in England during the Anglo-Saxon period; a descendant of this family is first documented in 1206 in Cambridgeshire.

Many branches of the family have been found throughout the British Isles at one time or another. Some descendants have since moved further afield, particularly to the US, Canada, and Australia. In the United States, for example, approximately half of all bearers of the name arrived from the British Isles in the 19th century.

Today, the name remains relatively uncommon; records show that only a few hundred people in the United States, Canada, and Australia bear this surname. In the United Kingdom, You can find most people with this name concentrated in Yorkshire, the Midlands, and South Wales.

Bearers of the name Whennan can be found in all regions of the world where English-speaking populations live, but it is particularly rare everywhere. The family line can still be traced back to the original Anglo-Saxon origins in England, but the name is no longer commonly found in either English or even British populations anymore.

Variations of the surname Whennan

Whennan is a French surname derived from the Germanic personal name Winemann, which means “friend of wine.”

The most common variants of the Whennan surname are Whanen, Wennen, and Wineman. These surnames are all different spellings of the same origin.

Other variations on the Whennan surname include Wehman, Wehmann, Wenman, Werman, Wiebman, Wieman, Wienman, Wihman, Wineman, and Woldman.

Other surnames with similar origins to Whennan include Winegarden, Winegar, Winger, Winger, and Wininger.

Many of these surnames may have been adopted as a result of immigration from other European countries, as many Germans reached the United States during the 19th century.

In addition to these variants, there are also various derivations of the original Weman, such as Whenham, Whinham, Wigham, and Winnam.

The prevalence of the Whennan surname is most widespread in the United States, and it is also found in Canada, Great Britain, Australia, and elsewhere.

Ultimately, the various spellings and derivations of the Whennan are considered one surname due to its common origin.

Famous people with the name Whennan

• Luke Whennam, Australian AFL footballer
• Sam Whennam, Actor
• Ted Whennam, former NFL player
• Chris Whennam, American actor
• Frankie Whennam, former American soccer player
• James Whennam, former Australian Rules Football player
• Kay Whennam, former English netballer
• Dean Whennam, former English professional soccer player
• Ben Whennam, former Australian journalist and broadcaster
• Dave Whennam, former British mountaineer

Other surnames

Whennen