Surname Wienema - Meaning and Origin
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Wienema: What does the surname Wienema mean?
The surname Wienema is a patronymic Dutch name meaning “son of Wiene.” Wiene is a German and Dutch nickname derived from the Germanic name “Wine,” which in turn derives from the Germanic element “Wên,” meaning “desire.” However, the name is believed to originate from a modern-day Dutch province located in the south of the country called Limburg, and specifically the town of Weert. The name Wienema is thus a variant of the name Wirken, a regional name used in this region.
The earliest known record of the name is from 1688, when one Willem Willemse Wienema, a farmer from Noorbeek, was recorded on the official tax list. The name quickly spread from the village of Weert into other regions, and was used by many generations of Dutch migrant families around the world.
Today, the surname Wienema is still quite common in the Netherlands, as well as several other countries, including the United States, Canada, and Australia. It is most commonly found among members of the Dutch-American and Dutch-Canadian communities.
In general, the name Wienema can be a source of great pride and cultural legacy, as it connects its holders to their Dutch ancestry and the Limburg region of the Netherlands.
Order DNA origin analysisWienema: Where does the name Wienema come from?
The last name Wienema is most common in the Netherlands today. It is a Dutch patronymic surname, meaning "son of Wien" or "descendant of Wien".
The earliest Wienema was a Viking trading post owner in the Netherlands who was known as Wien during the 10th century. Because of his popularity, it is likely that his descendants adopted the surname Wienema.
Today, it is most commonly found in the northern and western area of the Netherlands, particularly in Overijssel and Friesland. It is also found in areas of the US with high Dutch immigrant population, such as Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan, and New York.
In addition to these locations, the surname Wienema is also found in the country of Suriname, a former Dutch colonized region of South America. The majority of the immigrants who brought the surname to this region are descendants of Dutch indentured servants, as well as Jews escaping from Nazi persecution in Europe.
The population of Wienema around the world is estimated to be fewer than 10,000 people. So, while Wienema is a relatively uncommon surname, its geographical reach today is extensive, and the name is iconic within the Netherlands.
Variations of the surname Wienema
The surname Wienema is a fairly uncommon one and has a few variants and spellings. It originates mainly in the Netherlands, derived from the Dutch given name Wien, which is a form of the German given name Winer. Given its Dutch origins, the surname is most commonly spelled Wienema, although different spellings do exist. Other spellings of Wienema are Weinma, Wienima, Wienmeijer and Winma.
Some Dutch surnames can also take a “van,” “van der” or “de” plus the base surname. Variants of Wienema with this prefix include van Wienema, van Weinma, van Wienima, van Wienmeijer and de Winma. It is less common to see variants of Wienema with the suffixes “-en” or “-s”; however, such spellings may exist.
Although Wienema is derived from the Dutch name Wien, it is also possible to find the surname spelled as Wiener. Wiener is derived from a different given name, Wiener, which is a name of German origin. However, this spelling is less common than Wienema.
Finally, some persons who share a common ancestor may have adopted different surnames, although they are ultimately related. Surnames that can be derived from the same origin as Wienema include Veenma, Veenman, Veenstra, Wijma, Wijman and Winter.
Famous people with the name Wienema
- Nicole Wienema, First Lady of The Netherlands
- Eckhart Wienema, retired Dutch professional footballer
- Yos Whenema, winner of the 2014 Indonesian Muslim Fashion Festival
- Klaas Wienema, Dutch sculptor
- Rieke Wienema, Dutch marathon runner
- Jodokus Wienema, Dutch Olympic rower
- Magnolia Wienema, Dutch singer
- Freerk Wienema, Dutch business executive
- Gonda Wienema, Dutch politician
- Willem Wienema, Dutch Olympic field hockey player
- Eltje Wienema, Dutch violinist
- Co Wienema, Dutch musician
- Bo Wienema, Swedish Paralympian tennis player
- Jesalyn Wienema, Finnish poet and author
- Yarno Wienema, Dutch singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist