Surname Wynant - Meaning and Origin
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Wynant: What does the surname Wynant mean?
The last name Wynant is of Dutch origin and was commonly found among Dutch immigrants to the United States in the 1600s to 1800s. It is derived from the Dutch ‘Van’, meaning from, and Wijnand, a shortened form of the name Wigant, a given name of Germanic origin. Wynant is not particularly common in modern times, but in early American it was fairly widespread, especially in Mid-Atlantic states.
Wynant is thought to have a variety of meanings, all of which relate to the power of the lord or as an homage to a higher being. Van Wigant or Wynant may be a reference to a holder of land or a title, being ‘lord’ of the land, or it could stem from the Dutch word ‘winen’, meaning of wine and could signify the importance of the wine trade. Alternatively, it may come from the word ‘warinand’ which in Germanic history was the second part of a compound name, meaning protector or defender.
The Wynant family found success in the early foundation of the United States and many served in both the Civil and Revolutionary Wars. They often took on the roles of merchants and tradesmen as they became established. Today, the surname is still scattered around the United States, and throughout Europe. It is a reminder of the significant contributions that immigrants from Europe made in the early years of America and as a tribute to the past.
Order DNA origin analysisWynant: Where does the name Wynant come from?
The Wynant last name is not particularly common today. It is not found among the 1000 most common surnames in the United States or the United Kingdom. However, it does appear throughout other parts of the world. Wynant is most commonly found in The Netherlands, where it is a version of the Dutch "Winant" that was popular throughout the late 19th century and early 20th century. Wynant is also a common last name in Belgium, especially in the province Antwerp. It is likely to have originated in France, where Wynant is a variation of the French "Guenant" or "Guinant".
In the United States, the Wynant name is particularly rare, but it does appear in some states such as Nebraska, New York, Arizona, and Utah. Most often, families carrying the Wynant surname have a Dutch or Belgian background, as the name likely originated in The Netherlands or Belgium. In the United states, many who bear the name have probably been living in the country for many generations.
In general, the Wynant surname is rare, but it is found widely throughout parts of Europe and in some parts of the United States. The exact origin of the name is still unknown, but it likely comes from the French "Guenant" or the Dutch "Winant".
Overall, the Wynant name appears infrequently throughout the world, but it does exist in some countries, suggesting that the name has been passed down through many generations.
Variations of the surname Wynant
The surname Wynant (sometimes spelled Wynnand, Wynnat, Wynantt, Wynnatte, and Wynantte) is of Dutch-Flemish origin and primary use in the United States. The earliest known record bearing the surname is that of Willame Wynant, which was recorded in 1609 in Gravenhage, Holland.
Variants of the surname Wynant include Wynand, Wynnat, Wynantt, Wynnatte, and Wynantte. Similarly, the surnames Wynende, Wynten, and Wynants are believed to derive from the same origin.
In the Netherlands, the modern spelling is Van Wynant, which began to be used in the late 19th century.The short form of Van Wynant is Wynant, which is used in many Dutch-speaking countries today.
In South Africa, one prominent family bearing the name is the Wynand family, descended from the Manor of Wynand, located in the Guelderland Province of the Netherlands. Their name originates from the 'Wynanden' estate.
In Belgium, an alternate spelling is Wynants, which is derived from the Flemish spelling of the name.
In the United States, the surname is more commonly spelled as Wynant. It is believed to have been adopted by Dutch immigrants in the 17th and 18th century.
Overall, the surname Wynant is of Dutch-Flemish origin, although variants such as Wynand, Wynnat, Wynantt, Wynnatte, Wynantte, Wynende, Wynten, and Wynants exist in other countries. It is mainly found in Holland, Belgium, South Africa, and the United States.
Famous people with the name Wynant
- Victor Mature: American film actor.
- Ed Wynant: American actor best known for his roles in The Monkees and The Addams Family.
- Jonathan Wynant: American jazz pianist and vocalist.
- Steve Wynant: Grammy Award-winning bassist and composer.
- Emma Wynant: British model and former TV presenter.
- Rose Wynant: American actress, best known for her roles in Sister Act 2 and ER.
- Audrey Wynant: Executive Producer and former Executive Vice President of Food Network.
- Mary Wynant: American film producer and collaborator.
- David Wynant: American actor, writer, director, producer and leader of Wynant Productions.
- Tom Wynant: American actor, best known for his work in The Big Bang Theory and The Pollocks.