Surname Denning - Meaning and Origin
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Denning: What does the surname Denning mean?
The surname Denning is of English and Irish origin. In the English context, it tends to be a topographic name derived from the Old English 'denn,' meaning ‘woodland pasture for swine’. It suited those who lived near such a location or possibly even looked after the swine.
In contrast, in the Irish context, Denning is an Anglicised form of the Gaelic name Ó Duinnín, which is a diminutive of the personal name Donn, meaning ‘brown’. In this context, the name likely emerged to distinguish a smaller, younger, or less significant 'brown-haired or brown-complexioned person' within a community.
Overall, like most surnames, it initially served a practical purpose – offering information about a person’s surroundings, vocation, or personal features – but eventually became a simple means of identification passed down through generations.
Order DNA origin analysisDenning: Where does the name Denning come from?
The last name Denning is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the personal name "Dunning" which was popular during the Middle Ages. This name is a diminutive of the Old English given name "Dunn," which itself means "dark coloured." It later became "Denning" through phonetic variations over time and due to regional dialect influences. The surname may also have locational roots, originating from a place called Denning in North Yorkshire, or from Downing in Cambridgeshire, which means ‘people of Dunn’.
The name can be traced back to England before it was brought to Ireland during Norman invasion. Denning could also potentially be an Anglicized version of the Irish surname O'Duinnín.
Today, it is common in many English-speaking countries including the United States, England, Australia, and Canada. However, it is most prevalent in the United States, and highest density is found in Australia.
Variations of the surname Denning
The surname Denning has a few variants and alternative spellings such as Denning, Dennings, Dennington, Dinning, and Dinnington. It's worth noting that these variations can be the result of regional phonetic changes, misspellings or clerical errors, and personal preference. In some cases, they might have also shifted over time due to migration, as families relocate and assimilate into new cultures and languages.
The origin of the surname Denning is believed to be Anglo-Saxon, where it was a habitation name from places called Dennington in Suffolk and Deighton in North Yorkshire. An alternate theory suggests that it may have evolved as a patronymic surname, based on "Denn," a medieval nickname for someone named Dennis or Dionysius.
Although it's less common, Denning can also be found as a first name, mainly in English-speaking countries.
The surname Denning can also be altered due to marital unions, with some people choosing to hyphenate it with another last name, such as in "Denning-Smith". Some may incorporate Denning as a middle name, further expanding variations of this surname. Regardless of its use, the name Denning carries with it a rich and diverse history.
Famous people with the name Denning
- Richard Denning: An American actor who starred in various films and TV series like "Creature from the Black Lagoon" and "Hawaii Five-O".
- Greg Denning: A prominent U.S. historian and academic, particularly known for his work on the Pacific Islands.
- Pete Denning: An American computer scientist known for his work in virtual memory systems.
- Taylor Denning: A well-known country music singer and songwriter from Georgia, U.S.A.
- Alfred Denning (Lord Denning): A prominent British Judge who served as the Master of the Rolls from 1962 to 1982. He is one of the most celebrated and influential figures in British legal history.
- Eli Denning: A notable entrepreneur and designer, best known for co-founding Pepper, an intimates company for small-chested women.
- Steve Denning: An author who specifically writes about leadership and management.
- Leslie Denning: A prominent figure in network security who contributed to the creation of DES, a symmetric-key algorithm for the encryption of electronic data.
- Penny Denning: A British actress, known for "The Angel" and "The Letter".
- Les Denning: An English football player active during the 1930s.