Surname Mensink - Meaning and Origin
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Mensink: What does the surname Mensink mean?
The surname Mensink is an occupational name derived from Germanic elements, specifically Middle Low German and Dutch, and refers to a person who works in a mine or with metalworking. The surname derives from the Middle Low German menschinc or Dutch mensink, both of which are derived from the verb mensen, meaning to work in a mine or to use metalworking.
The surname Mensink can be found in records dating back to the 17th century in the regions of Germany, Benelux, and surrounding countries. The earliest found mention of Mensink is in 1612, when Hans Henric Mensink is noted living in Bayern, Germany. It is also found in the regions of Westfalen and Sachsen, Germany, as well as regions of the Netherlands.
Interestingly, it is also related to the surname Mensching, indicating a person who works with metal in some way. This is because Mensching is the Low Saxon variant of Mensink.
Today, the surname Mensink is still found in many countries of Europe, and there are people with the surname living in the United States and other countries around the world thanks to migration and emigration.
Order DNA origin analysisMensink: Where does the name Mensink come from?
The last name Mensink is believed to have originated in the Netherlands and is most commonly found in the Netherlands and Germany today. It is an occupational name, which originated from the Dutch word for merchant or tradesman, “Mansinc.” People who carried this last name were often business owners or involved in the trading of commodities.
The name could be found in various Dutch provinces from the 13th century onward, and can still be found in The Hague, Amsterdam, and the city of Groningen. The distribution of this name around Europe is down to migration of Dutch people to other countries in Europe, or due to German people marrying into Dutch families who bore this surname.
In Germany, the last name Mensink was most commonly found in the Lower Saxon region in the 16th century, especially in the area around Storkow. Today, it is widely distributed throughout the country, especially in the west.
In the USA, the popularity of the last name Mensink has seen a slight decline over the last 40 years, likely due to the decrease in immigration from Europe. However, the name is still quite common is states such as Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, where many Dutch and German immigrants settled during the 19th century.
Variations of the surname Mensink
Mensink is a Dutch and German surname.
Variants of the surname Mensink include Menzosink, Menznink, Menszing, Mensing, Menssink, Menesink, Meesink, Mesink, Meentsing, Menxing, Mensingh, Minginx, Meensink, Mensenhok, Menzenink, Metsing, and Menkens.
The spelling of Mensink dates back to at least the 18th century, and is a variant of another Dutch surname, Meinsma, meaning "son of Mein". In some cases, the spelling was changed to Mensink to distinguish between the two surnames. In some cases, it was also used as an alternate form of Mensing, a variant of Meinsma.
In Germany, Mensink is generally found in the Rhineland area. It is an alternate spelling of Mensing.
Surnames with the same origin as Mensink include Menden, Mensinck, Meijsing, Mensingh, and Menning.
In the Netherlands, Mensink can also be found as a patronymic name, derived from the personal name Menso/Mensa, which is derived from the Germanic element mens, meaning "spirit". In some cases, the surname was also derived from the Dutch word menzen, meaning "inhabitant, dweller".
Famous people with the name Mensink
- Herman Mensink: Dutch former footballer
- Gert Mensink: Dutch former footballer and manager
- Jenne Mensink: Dutch coxswain
- Jarco Mensink: Dutch hockey player
- Paul Mensink: Dutch Paralympic athlete
- Wybo Mensink: Dutch politician
- Dolf Mensink: Dutch swimmer
- Arjen Mensink: Dutch rower
- René Mensink: Dutch beach volleyball player
- Edwin Mensink: Dutch sport shooter
- Jan Mensink: Dutch politician
- Bob Mensink: Dutch American football player
- Huub Mensink: Dutch law professor.