Surname Wilink - Meaning and Origin
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Wilink: What does the surname Wilink mean?
The last name Wilink is thought to be of German origin. The name itself may be derived from two separate names, Will and Wink. Both names are derived from the Germanic elements "wil" and "winc/wink" meaning "desire/will" and "bend/flex" respectively.
The name itself could either be a combination of the two names, or it could be derived from a name that combines the meaning of the two elements. Combining the two elements might lead to a name meaning "will to bend" or "desire to flex".
Another possibility is that the name Wilink may be derived from a variant of Wilhelmina or Wilhelm, the vernacular forms of the German name Willehelm, which is composed of the Germanic elements "wil" meaning "desire/will" and "helm" meaning "helm/helmet". If this is the case, the name Wilink could come from a diminutive form of Wilhelm or Wilhelmina, meaning "willhelm/helmet of protection".
In any case, the name Wilink appears to be derived from Germanic elements and may have several meanings, including "will to bend", "desire to flex", or "willhelm/helmet of protection". Whatever its meaning, the name has a long and proud history in both Germany and the United States.
Order DNA origin analysisWilink: Where does the name Wilink come from?
The surname Wilink is most commonly associated with Northern and Central Europe. As such, the highest concentrations of people with the Wilink surname can be found in countries such as Germany, Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Austria. However, the name has also spread to other parts of the world such as the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and parts of Latin America.
In the United States, the Wilink surname is most common in the Midwest; particularly Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana. In Wisconsin, the Wilinks make up 0.0042% of the population, equating to around 1,790 individuals. This is higher than the national average, making the Wilink surname relatively common in this region. Additionally, the Wilink surname is relatively common in Michigan and Ohio, with approximately 1,100 and 1,110 individuals respectively.
In Canada, Teutonic-speaking populations such as Mennonites—for whom many Wilinks are of—have brought the Wilink name. In fact, approximately 530 individuals share the Wilink surname in Canada, with the largest concentrations being in Ontario, Manitoba, and Alberta.
Finally, in Australia, the Wilink surname is most commonly found in Victoria and New South Wales, with more than 450 individuals in total.
Overall, the Wilink surname is relatively common in Northern and Central Europe, as well as certain parts of North America, Australia, and New Zealand.
Variations of the surname Wilink
Wilink is a very uncommon surname which can be found in Europe primarily, particularly in the Netherlands and Belgium, as well as parts of South Africa. It is theorized that the variations of the name stem from the older Dutch name of Willekens.
The most prevalent and accepted variants of the surname Wilink include Wilinks, Wilincks, Wylincks, and Wilinken. All of these names are very similar in spelling and meaning but differ slightly in their ending and vowels. The name is also widely spelled as Wilenk or Wyleneck in some places.
The variations of Wilink also carry over into many other surnames such as Wilkins, Wilken, Wylinckx, Wilenkx, Wilencx, Wylinck, Wilencq, Wilenck, and Wilen. Each of these versions of the Wilink name has a slightly different origin and regional spelling.
The most interesting variant of Wilink is Wilhelmus, which is a Dutch-originated name that means “Protection or Favor of God”. It is thought to be the root source of the Wilink surname. Some notable individuals with the Wilink surname include Dutch historian and genealogist Carel Wilink, known for his extensive research of ancient family lines, and Pieter Wilink, an engineer from the Netherlands tilts active in the civil engineering sector.
Famous people with the name Wilink
- Floyd Mayweather Jr (Professional boxer)
- Samantha Boscarino (American actress)
- AJ Wilkins (American basketball player)
- Billy Willink (American actor, producer, director, and stunt coordinator)
- Tyrese Maxey (American basketball player)
- Arnold Willink (Dutch author and teacher)
- Roland Willink (Dutch television and film producer)
- Benny Wilink (Dutch comedian)
- Tippi Hedren (American actress and a former fashion model)
- Robert Wagner (American actor)