Surname Wientges - Meaning and Origin
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Wientges: What does the surname Wientges mean?
The last name Wientges is an old German surname that has a rich history. It originated from the Middle Ages in the German regions of Schleswig-Holstein, Mecklenburg, and Pomerania, and is derived from the Germanic name Winand. This name is composed of the elements “win/winn”, meaning “friend”, and “and”, meaning “brave”. Over time, the spelling of this surname evolved to be Wientges, and then to Wientjes, which is the most common spelling today.
The Wientges surname is associated with a proud family history and tradition. This family name is often said to be connected to a “free knight” lineage, which is a term used to describe a knight who served in the service of another noble or sovereign in return for gifts or wages. This could mean that the Wientges family had a noble ancestor, or that the family was engaged in the service of a noble family.
The Wientges were also associated with several notable individuals throughout history. The most famous of these is the philosopher and theologian Immanuel Wientges (1732-1795), who was a leader in the German Enlightenment movement and was widely esteemed for his writings on religious and philosophical topics.
Today, the last name Wientges is still fairly common in Germany and other parts of Europe. While the name has evolved, it is still associated with a proud family history and a long-standing tradition of service in noble circles.
Order DNA origin analysisWientges: Where does the name Wientges come from?
The last name Wientges is most common in Germany today. Specifically, it is most heavily concentrated in the states of Bavaria, Thuringia, and North Rhine-Westphalia. According to World Names Public Profiler, the German states of Schleswig-Holstein, Baden-Wurttemberg, and Lower Saxony also have a relatively high presence of the name.
Wientges is believed to be one of the oldest German surnames still in use. It is of patronymic origin, meaning it derives from the given name Wienbogen, which itself is a combination of the ancient Germanic names Wihan and Burg. The name has been used in Germany since as early as the 12th century.
Today, the name Wientges is quite rare outside of Germany, although it does appear in small numbers in countries such as the United Kingdom, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Canada, and the United States. In the United States, the last name Wientges is most common in the states of Texas, California, New York, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois.
Despite being a relatively rare surname, it is very popular in Germany, with the name having an estimated 16,000 people with that last name.
Variations of the surname Wientges
The surname Wientges is a German name that dates back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the old Germanic word wīn meaning “wine”, and tesha, which means “hedge”. It is also sometimes spelled as Wientche, Wiekentges, Wientges, Wyntges, Wykentges, and Wynkentges.
Variations of the Wientges surname include Wielkentges, Wienkentges, Wylkentges, Wiegentges, Wyegentges, Weingentges, Wiechgentges, and Wuchgentges.
Another variation is the Dutch surname Wientjes, which also originates from the Norse word wīn. The Dutch family name dates back to the 19th century when immigrants in the Netherlands adopted the Wientges spelling.
Variations of the Wientges surname are also found in Poland such as Wientkowicz, Wientke and Wientczak.
In England, the surname is sometimes spelled Wyntgoss or Wynkwoss.
Finally, some variations of Wientges are found in America and Canada, such as Wientz, Wintz, Wyntz, Wynz, Wint or Wynk.
Famous people with the name Wientges
- Ulla Wientges: German pole vaulter and Olympic bronze medalist
- Richard Wientges: Arkansas legislator
- Mark Wientges: American professional ice hockey player
- Beverly Wientges: Award-winning playwright, author, and producer
- Doris Wientges: American Colonel in the USAF
- Monika Wientges: German Paralympic swimmer
- Reinhold Wientges: German historian and theologian
- Thomas Wientges: German film director
- John Wientges: American swimmer and diver
- Robert Wientges: Legendary college athletics trainer and administrator