Surname Wientjes - Meaning and Origin

Wientjes: What does the surname Wientjes mean?

The last name Wientjes is an old Dutch name, possibly derived from the word 'wientje', an archaic Dutch term which means 'little wagon'. The name may have developed from the occupation of a family member involved with the making or repair of wagons. It’s possible that the wagon-builder became known as Wientjes, and thereby passed his name onto future generations.

The name is recorded in documents as early as 1219, with early examples of the name stemming from Utrecht and Drenthe in the Netherlands. One very old record even mentions a military commander named Jan Wientjes from the city of Groningen in the 1400s.

Today, the name Wientjes is still common in the Netherlands, and it’s also found in many other countries around the world, including Germany, Belgium and various parts of the United States.

The name Wientjes can bring up many associations with its Dutch roots, such as certain traditional customs, like eating herring with onions, attending the carnival season, and wearing clogs. It may also be associated with a desire to preserve certain old customs and ways of life.

Whatever associations come to mind, the name Wientjes is grounded in a proud family tradition and its heritage is surely something of which its descendants can be proud.

Wientjes: Where does the name Wientjes come from?

The last name Wientjes is most commonly found in regions of the Netherlands, specifically in the northwest part of the country. It is also found in the United States, with the highest concentration in the states of Iowa, North Carolina, California and Washington.

Wientjes is a Dutch patronymic surname which means that it is derived from the personal name of a father, grandfather and sometimes even earlier ancestors. Patronymic surnames were adopted by many Europeans in the Middle Ages.

The majority of immigrants with the last name Wientjes came to the United States in the early to mid twentieth century. It is likely that the earliest immigrants with the last name Wientjes came from either Germany, Belgium or the Netherlands.

The census data analysis also suggests that the surname is most commonly seen in families of Dutch heritage in the United States. It is likely that the family originated in the Netherlands and moved to the United States in search of a better life.

The surname is used in many forms: Wientjes, Wientes, Wientje, Wintjes, Wintes and Wintje. Interestingly, the surname Wientjes is even extended to one location in Germany.

Overall, it is clear that the Wientjes surname is most popular in the Netherlands, but also found in regions of the United States. This surname is of Dutch origin and has a long history that is still carried on to this day.

Variations of the surname Wientjes

The surname Wientjes is a patronymic name derived from the given name Wien or Wientje, the short form of Winand. The prefix ‘Wien’ may also form the basis of a toponymic name when the patron moved from a place called Wien or Wientje.

Variants of the surname Wientjes include Wientjesz, Wientz, Wien, Weintjes, Wyentjes, Wients, Wiene, and Wions. Spellings of this surname vary greatly today, many of them differing even by a single letter.

Other surnames that share the same origin with Wientjes include Wientje, Wientjem, Wienk, Wienke, Wiener, Wieneke, van Wien, Wienen, Wiening, Wieninga, Wien Merryn, Wientersen, Wiengarten, and many more.

The suffix -son, -sz and -z are also common variants found in Scandinavian countries. These variants are often combined with the original name to form unique surnames.

Wientjes is commonly found across many countries in Europe, especially the Netherlands. Over the years, many variations of the surname have been used in different locations. For example, Wientjes was shortened to Wie in Austria and Wienne in Germany.

In the US, the surname Wientjes has been changed drastically due to various immigration processes, and can now appear as Wintjes, Wintz, Wyntjes, or Winz.

Famous people with the name Wientjes

• Freke Wientjes: a Dutch metal worker and trades unionist.
• Jorien Wientjes: a Dutch footballer who currently plays for SC Heerenveen.
• Martijn Wientjes: a former Dutch sprinter who specialized in the 100 metres.
• Nico Wientjes: a Dutch former cyclist who competed in the 1932 Summer Olympics.
• Rienk Wientjes: a Dutch historian, who wrote several books about the Netherlands' economic history.
• Willem Wientjes: a Dutch swimmer who won a silver medal at the 1928 Summer Olympics.
• Albert Wientjes: a former Dutch professional tennis player who won the 1939 Dutch Open.
• Bart Wientjes: a Dutch environmental scientist and academic.
• Jeroen Wientjes: a Dutch professional footballer who plays for TEC in the Saturday Eerste Divisie.
• Jurjen Wientjes: a former Dutch football player who played as a midfielder.
• Mees Wientjes: a Dutch professional football player who played as a defender.
• Sjoerd Wientjes: a Dutch professional footballer who currently plays for RKC Waalwijk.
• Joost Wientjes: a former Dutch football player who played as a midfielder.
• Krystian Wientjes: a Dutch professional footballer who currently plays for NAC Breda in the Eredivisie.
• Frits Wientjes: a Dutch professor in International Relations and Security Studies at the International Institute of Social Studies in The Hague.
• Paul Wientjes: a Dutch former professional football player who played as a forward.
• Jacobus Wientjes: a Dutch-born international news anchor who works for the Al Jazeera English network.
• Els Wientjes: an Dutch psychologist and writer specializing in suicide prevention.
• Karel Wientjes: a Dutch former racing cyclist who competed in the individual road race event at the 1928 Summer Olympics.
• Thijs Wientjes: a Dutch former swimmer who competed in the 1928 Summer Olympics.

Other surnames

Wientjens