Surname Menning - Meaning and Origin
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Menning: What does the surname Menning mean?
The last name Menning is German, derived from the personal name Menno. It is thought to be derived from the Latin word 'mannus', meaning 'man'.
The name was first found in East Prussia, where the ancestral form of the name could be traced back to 1339. The name is most commonly found in East Prussia, Mecklenburg, and Silesia.
In German, the name is often referred to as an occupational surname, for a 'man at the door', thought to be a valet, or a guard. It may also be a topographic name for a man who lived close to a fenced-in area.
The Menning family in East Prussia gained status and respect amongst their peers over centuries, as prominent members of society. The family played important roles in the politics and military of the area, having held office, served in the civil service, and fought in battles in the area.
The name Menning is seen in the US today, and is often found in the Midwest. Nowadays the name is seen as a combination of German and Anglo-Saxon backgrounds, an example of the displacement of families in the past. People who carry the last name Menning are a physical reminder of the European settlers of the past.
Order DNA origin analysisMenning: Where does the name Menning come from?
Menning is a surname of Germanic origins, derived from the personal name 'Menninga'. Although the geographical origin of the surname is unknown, it is likely to have been derived from a region which was historically part of the German Empire or ancestral Germanic homeland.
Today, Menning is mostly common in north-western and western parts of Germany and in the Netherlands. According to one genealogical research study from 2019, Menning is the 18th most common surname of Dutch origins in the Netherlands. Additionally, it is found in large numbers in North Rhine-Westphalia, the Netherlands, and certain regions in Germany including Berlin, Hamburg, and Lower Saxony.
In terms of other countries, Menning is also found in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and the United States. In the US, Menning is most common among Americans of German and Dutch descent, with concentrations in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, New York, and Illinois. The state of Wisconsin is also home to the highest concentration of Menning surnames in the US.
Given its Germanic roots, Menning is most likely to occupied a prominent spot in many regions which are, or were once part of German language speakers or cultures, such as countries in northern Europe and North-western America.
Variations of the surname Menning
The surname Menning is of Germanic origin and there are many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
Common modern variants include Maning, Manning, Mening, Muning, Mennen, Menni, and Meining. These variations stem from the Old German name “Mannin(g)” which means “man” or “strong man”. The name often led to forms such as “Mannin-” and “Mannen-.”
In the Netherlands, a variant of “Mannin” is Mennin, which is found in such names as Mennink, Mennig, Mennigs, and Mennicx. Similarly, in Germany variations of Mannin include Menne, Menner, Mennig, Menners and others.
In the USA, Menning commonly became Manning, with additional spellings including Mening, Menninger, Menninghoff, and Menniger.
Other surnames of related origin include Manz, Manzen, Menicke, Menn, Mente, Menth, Menzel, Minz, Manns, Maanen, Maas, and Maissen.
Ultimately, the surname Menning encompasses a wide variety of forms, with various connections to the original root of either Mannin or Mannen.
Famous people with the name Menning
- Jeffrey Menning: an American actor, best known for his starring role in the romantic drama films 'Love Jones' (1997) and 'Save the Last Dance' (2001).
- David Menning: an American voice actor who is best known as the narrator for the movies 'The Venture Bros.' and 'Ni Hao, Kai-lan'.
- Werner Menning: a German physicist and former director of the Physical Institute at Jena University.
- Peter Menning: a British musician and recording artist, known for his work as a session guitarist with artists such as Phil Collins, Tina Turner, and Elton John.
- Oskar Menning: a German architectural historian and art historian, known for his contributions to the study of baroque architecture.
- Erik Menning: a Swedish artist, who is best known for his intricate photo montages and whimsical pop-culture artwork.
- Kenneth Menning: an American-born Canadian businessman, and the former president/CEO of CIBC Mellon Global Securities Services.
- Jacob Menning: an American film, television, and stage actor who is best known his supporting role in the television series 'Glee'.
- Jürgen Menning: a German composer and musician, best known for his work on the soundtracks for the films 'Der Fährmann' and 'Die letzte Festung'.
- Mary Menning: an American author and television writer, who penned the novel 'The Palinode', and wrote for the soap opera 'General Hospital'.