Surname Pennick - Meaning and Origin
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Pennick: What does the surname Pennick mean?
The surname Pennick is of Anglo-Saxon origin and derived from the personal name 'Pin'. This name conventionally referred to a person who was originally known by the nickname 'Pennick,' derived from the Old English term 'Pennuc', which translates to 'finch'. Often in the Middle Ages, people were identified by their characteristics or physical attributes, and being called by bird names was not uncommon. Therefore, 'Pennick' could originally refer to someone with the qualities of a finch, perhaps someone regarded as joyous and lively. This surname is quite rare and is found more prevalently in England and its regions. While it's impossible to determine the precise circumstance under which the name was first used, it is a part of a larger traditional custom that involved creating surnames based on an individual's personal characteristics or nicknames.
Order DNA origin analysisPennick: Where does the name Pennick come from?
The last name Pennick is most commonly found today in the United States and Canada. The surname Pennick is fairly rare and unique, but can also be found in some other countries, such as England, Ireland, and Scotland.
In the United States, it is estimated that there are roughly 2890 people with the last name Pennick. Pennsylvania is the most populated place where Pennick is found, with 613 people currently living in the state. Other states with a sizable presence of the Pennick family include Alabama, Texas, New York, and Ohio.
In Canada, the name Pennick is primarily located in the province of Québec. The metropolitan area of Gatineau/Hull has an especially strong presence of the Pennick surname.
The distribution of Pennick is largely concentrated among English-speaking countries. This is likely because of the impact of British colonialism which began in the 16th century and contributed to the spread of the English language, culture, and surnames.
The Pennick name has an interesting history. Its origins are from England and are derived from the Old English phrase "peanica", which translates to "little head" or "penny’s head". Today, the Pennick family is not as widespread as many other surnames, and with only around 2890 Pennick’s in total there is certainly still room for growth.
Variations of the surname Pennick
The surname Pennick is of English origin and is usually found in communities of Cornwall, Devon, and Somerset. It can be spelled in a variety of ways, including Penick, Pennecke, Pennick, and Pinnick. It can also have other variations and spellings, such as Pennacke, Pinick, Pennack, Penneck, Pennec, Pennock, and Pinnyck.
The surname Pennick is thought to have evolved from two Old English words. It could have derived from 'penn' meaning 'enclosure' and 'wic' meaning 'settlement'. Therefore, the surname could be interpreted to mean 'enclosed settlement'. The same could be applied to the other variants of the surname.
The earliest record of someone bearing the name of Pennick dates back to 1603. This particular part of the family tree belonged to those living in Somerset. Since then, the surname Pennick has evolved and spread to various parts of England, the United States of America, and Canada.
Therefore, it is safe to say, that the surname Pennick is quite diverse and can be seen in many different guises. The various spellings of the surname are likely to have arisen over time due to various dialects and geographical locations.
Famous people with the name Pennick
- Alison Pennick: British academic, psychotherapist, and author
- George Pennick: professional lacrosse player and current assistant coach of the Ohio State's men's lacrosse team
- Marcellus Pennick: African-American artist and educator
- Jack Pennick: American actor whose career spanned from the mid-1920s to the late 1950s
- Ruby Pennick: American educator and civil rights activist
- Marino Jose Pennick: Portuguese sprinter
- Sarah B. Pennick: American Civil War Union military leader
- Talima Pennick: former American basketball player
- Jaylen Pennick: professional Canadian football player
- Jace Pennick: American professional figure skater