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Surname Zentjens - Meaning and Origin

all surnames with 'Z'

Zentjens: What does the surname Zentjens mean?

The last name Zentjens is of Dutch origin. It is derived from the surname “Sentbier” meaning “centenier” or “captain of the hundred” – a commander of 100 men in Dutch military usage. The path of evolution of “Sentbier” to “Zentjens” is unclear, but the most likely explanation is that Zentjens is a contraction of “Gezant Jaens”, or “messenger Jaen’s”, meaning the messenger of Jan (or Johan, or Jean).

From the 1600s onwards, Zentjens families spread out of The Netherlands and can now be found in Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg, as well as in parts of North America and the United Kingdom. On record, Zentjens first set foot in the USA in the early 1700s, in the states of Pennsylvania and New York. It is most common among the Dutch Americans, and can be found in various states along the east coast.

Variations of this name include Sentjens, Zentjes, and ZentJans. Although the name has remained relatively uncommon, mainly due to its limited Dutch or Flemish ancestry, its clear and unique origins mean that once you know someone with the name Zentjens, you will never forget it.

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Zentjens: Where does the name Zentjens come from?

The last name Zentjens is most commonly associated with the Netherlands, where it is still in use today. It is generally thought to be derived from the personal name Sentjen (a shortened version of Sinte Jan). The rare surname is shared by an estimated 2,000 Dutch citizens as of 2019. The most common location for the name Zentjens is in Northern and Central Netherlands, especially in the provinces of Drenthe, Gelderland, Groningen, Friesland, and Noord-Holland. It is also found in Belgium, Germany, and parts of Poland.

The Zentjens family was connected to the historical Hanseatic League trading cities from the 14th century up to the 17th century, which was a trading and political union of merchant guilds, initially for mutual protection from outside forces. Although Zentjens was not a major family during this period, it still managed to build reputation and trade relations in the Netherlands and abroad.

The Zentjens family is still represented in the Netherlands today. The Zentjens Foundation has been promoting culture and science since 1996, founded by Joost Zentjens. Renowned Dutch artist, Yvonne Zentjens, creates eroded landscape photography and has garnered international acclaim for his work. Her son, Rik Zentjens, has also achieved great success as a contemporary Dutch painter, known for his vibrant abstract landscapes.

The Zentjens family have left a lasting legacy in the Netherlands and abroad, carrying their legacy of hard work, commerce, and culture through centuries.

Variations of the surname Zentjens

Variants of the surname Zentjens include Zenzjens, Zentgens, Centgens, Centjens, Centsjens, Sentjens, and Sentgens. Zentjens is a Dutch toponymic (place-based) surname derived from the Bentheim region of the Netherlands, which was known as "Zente" during the Middle Ages.

The spelling of Zentjens has changed over time, with some early records dating back to the 13th century showing the use of "Zenze," likely derived from the Middle Dutch word "ziense" meaning "from this region." During the 17th to 18th centuries, Zentjens spelled their surname variously as "Centjens," "Centgens," "Zentgens," or "Zenzjens," reflecting the local dialectical variations of the word "Zente."

The most common spelling today is Zentjens. It can also be spelled as Sentjens and Sentgens, with the "Sent" part likely referring to Sandkrug, another nearby region. Other variations still used in the Netherlands include Centsjens and Zentsjens.

Non-Dutch speakers may be familiar with Zentjens as the surname of Dutch footballer Daley Zentjens or Dutch comedian Sanne Zentjens, who spell their surname with a "Z" rather than a "C" or "S".

Today, Zentjens are spread across the Netherlands, Germany, and the United States. Despite their spread, Zentjens are still most densely concentrated in the region surrounding the Bentheim region, the ancestral home of the surname.

Famous people with the name Zentjens

  • Gijsbert Zentjens: Dutch logistician and author
  • Sebastien Zentjens: Belgian football goalkeeper
  • Kai Zentjens: Dutch motorcycle racer
  • Wouter Zentjens: Dutch footballer
  • Dirk Zentjens: former Dutch football player
  • Etto Zentjens: Dutch professional cyclist
  • Mat Zentjens: former Dutch footballer
  • Rob Zentjens: Australian-based sculptor
  • Jeffrey Zentjens: Dutch carillon player
  • Frank Zentjens: former Dutch professional footballer
  • Bernard Zentjens: Belgian writer
  • Walter Zentjens: German poet and writer

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