Surname Feenstra - Meaning and Origin
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Feenstra: What does the surname Feenstra mean?
The surname Feenstra is of Dutch, Frisian and German origin. It is a patronymic name, derived from the given name Fenno, a diminutive of Fenna, meaning 'marshland'. It is also a topographical name for someone who lived near a marshland or a habitational name for a person who lived at one of the various places called Feenstras in the Netherlands, or a place in Germany.
The earliest documented use of Feenstra as a surname was recorded in Holland in 1565. Feenstra can also be found in North America, especially in Dutch settlements along the East Coast, and other countries, including Scotland, Australia, and South Africa.
This surname is found with different spellings such as Fenstra, Feinstra, Fanstra, and Fennstra. Some of the variations are likely due to the various dialects of the homeland. It is also common for surnames to be altered over the years, especially when immigrants move to new countries. During the 1900s, many changes in spelling were made to accommodate the difficulties of pronunciation and to create the easiest way for individuals to be identified.
Today, the surname Feenstra remains a reminder of the varied origins of its bearer. It is a unique and treasured name that has been passed down through the generations, reflecting the ancestry of its owners and the time period they lived in.
Order DNA origin analysisFeenstra: Where does the name Feenstra come from?
The last name Feenstra is most commonly found in the Netherlands, where it is one of the most common last names. There is also a significant concentration of Feenstras in the United States, particularly in Michigan, where the largest Dutch immigrant communities can be found. Many of these Dutch immigrants lived in Grand Rapids or Holland, Michigan, both of which have a large Dutch heritage. Further research into the Feenstra family name reveals that the surname is also found in the Netherlands Antilles, Canada, Germany, and South Africa. It is likely that descendents of these Feenstras have since moved to other countries, such as the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.
Outside of North America and the Netherlands, the last name Feenstra is not particularly common and its frequency varies significantly from country to country. In England, for example, it is a rare name, accounting for only 0.005% of the population. Similarly, in Wales, it only accounts for 0.001%. On the other hand, in Scotland, Feenstra is a relatively common name, accounting for 0.022% of the population.
In conclusion, the last name Feenstra is most commonly found in the Netherlands, but there are also significant populations in the United States, Canada, Germany, South Africa, and the Netherlands Antilles. It is also found in small numbers in other countries such as England, Wales, Scotland, Australia, and New Zealand.
Variations of the surname Feenstra
Feenstra is a patronymic surname of Dutch origin, derived from the given name 'Feen' or 'Feenus', a variant of the Old Germanic name 'Fried'. The name is most common in the Netherlands and the northwestern United States, but has spread to other parts of the world as a result of Dutch emigration.
Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Feenstra include Fennema, Fernstra, Fernstra, Ferstra, Vennema, Venema, Venstra and Fenstra. In some cases, the 'F' may be replaced with a 'V', while in other cases, an extra or missing letter changes the spelling, such as 'Fennstra' sometimes being used instead of 'Feenstra'. It's also common to find surnames like 'Van Feenstra' or 'Feenstra van', which indicate that the person with the surname is descended from a family bearing the Feenstra surname.
The less common spellings of the surname, such as Fernstra, Venema and Fenstra, may also have been used to differentiate one family from another in areas where the surname was common. As well, members of the same family may have used different spelling variations of the surname across different generations.
In the United States, the surname is also sometimes seen in its Anglicized form—Fenster or Fenstermacher.
Famous people with the name Feenstra
- Klaas Feenstra: a prominent Dutch comedian and presenter
- Priscilla Feenstra: a Dutch model
- Alphonsus Feenstra: a former Dutch football goalkeeper
- Sander Feenstra: a former Dutch football goalkeeper
- Maribeth Feenstra: an American musical theatre actress
- Rikkert Feenstra: a former Dutch professional footballer
- Arjen Feenstra: a Dutch football player
- Nanneke Feenstra: an Anglican priest
- David Feenstra: a Canadian film producer and screenwriter
- Coen Feenstra: a Dutch professional football goalkeeper