Surname Guinen - Meaning and Origin
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Guinen: What does the surname Guinen mean?
The last name Guinen is of German origin. It is derived from the German word guin, which translates to “good” or “excellent”, and the suffix -en, which has been used to create a number of surnames.
The meaning of this surname implies that it is a nickname given in reference to a person of high quality and moral integrity. The name would have likely first been used as a byname to distinguish someone from their peers who also had the same name. Over time, this name could have been used as a hereditary surname to trace family lineage.
An alternate spelling for the surname is Gwinen, which has been documented throughout history in a variety of different documents and records. As a result, there is evidence that the Guinen surname has been used in many areas of Europe, including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.
Despite its European origin, the surname Guinen is not found in large numbers in any single country. However, its presence within a number of different nations illustrates the reach of the Guinen family throughout Europe. Additionally, its connotation of excellence continues to stand as a reminder of the importance of moral integrity and quality in our lives.
Order DNA origin analysisGuinen: Where does the name Guinen come from?
The last name Guinen is largely found in France today. Within that country it is particularly common in the Burgundy region. This is unsurprising, as the name is thought to have originated in that area, possibly deriving from the French word for garden ("guin"). The name was likely first established in the early Middle Ages as a toponymic surname, referring to the ancestral home of those who first bore the name.
The surname Guinen may also be seen in Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and the German region of the Rhineland, perhaps as a result of emigration from France centuries ago. These countries are all relatively close to France, and were likely the chosen destinations of those early migrants.
In terms of numbers, there is no reliable data on the exact prevalence of the name. Geneanet, the world’s largest genealogical database, lists 626 individuals with the name as of August 2020, and gives France as the origin of the name.
Overall, the surname Guinen is today most commonly found in France. It is found to a lesser degree in neighbouring countries, due likely to emigration from France in the past.
Variations of the surname Guinen
Guinen is an Irish and Scottish surname of Gaelic origin. It is an anglicized form of the Gaelic surname Mag Fhionnbhuidhe, which is derived from the personal name Fionnbhuidhe. The surname Guinen has several variants and spellings, such as Ginan, Geenan, Guinan, Gunan, Gwinnan, Gynean, and Geenean.
The Scottish sept Clan Chinnéid was one of the oldest and most respected lineages in the Hebrides of Scotland. Their lineage was first recorded in 1394 as Ginan in the Huntingdon Rolls of Scotland. Clan Chinnéid was said to have been connected with the Clan MacNeil, which is why the surnames Guinen and MacNeil are often used interchangeably.
In Ireland, the surname Geenean is derived from the Ó Fionnbhuidhe sept of County Offaly in the east of the country. The Ó Fionnbhuidhe sept emerged in the form of the Gaelic name Mag Fhionnbhuidhe, and this name eventually evolved to become the modern surname Geenean.
In English-speaking countries, such as the U.S. and Canada, the surname Guinen has often been spelled as Ginan, Guinan, Gunan, Gwinnan, or Gynean. All of these spellings are now being documented in family histories and genealogical records.
Overall, the surname Guinen has a long and fascinating history spanning Ireland and Scotland. Its many variants and spellings further attest to the name’s impressive heritage.
Famous people with the name Guinen
- Neda Guinen, famous Catalan journalist and broadcaster
- José Guinén, Spanish Road racing cyclist
- Scott Guinnen, Canadian actor
- Karen Guinen, Canadian Politician
- François Guinén, French Techno DJ
- Pierre Guinén, French Poet
- Serge Guinéne, French Politician
- Jehen Guinien, Iranian Singer
- Sharon McKenna Guinien, American Musician
- Jennifer Gunin, Canadian Photographer