Surname Vink - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'V'
Vink: What does the surname Vink mean?
The last name Vink is of Dutch and Frisian origin. It is derived from the word "vink" which is a Dutch and Frisian term meaning finch.
The early origins of the Vink family name can be traced as far back to the Medieval times in the Netherlands. During this period, affluent and influential families began to use the last name to distinguish themselves from the general population. In the late Middle Ages, they began to associate a variety of symbols, such as birds, to their family name. Thus, the Vink family used the finch as the symbol for their name.
Today, the Vink family name is found throughout the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. It is one of the oldest family names in the Netherlands, with records of the Vink family name found as early as the 1500s. The meaning of the name Vink has also remained constant through the generations.
One of the known coat of arms of the Vink family consists of an arm holding a finch, which symbolizes loyalty, fertility, and courage. The crest, which showcases a finch, is evidence of the family’s old heritage with the colorful bird. This type of coat of arms was mainly used to reflect a family’s social standing in the community, but to this day, the Vink name remains associated with the finch.
In summary, the last name Vink is of Dutch and Frisian origin, deriving from the word “vink” which means finch. The Vink family is an old family line with records dating as far back as the 1500s and can be found in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. Additionally, the Vink family’s coat of arms is a symbol of the association to the bird and serves as proof of the family’s rich heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisVink: Where does the name Vink come from?
The last name Vink is primarily found in The Netherlands, with the majority of its bearers living in the province of Noord-Holland. Originally, this surname was derived from the Dutch word for "wine". During the 18th century, Dutch and Flemish migrants brought the name to the United States, particularly to the Mid-Atlantic states. Today, more than 11,000 Americans are named Vink, with the majority concentrated in New York and Pennsylvania.
In Canada, the Vink name is mainly found in British Columbia, Ontario, and Alberta. Roughly 500 Canadians are named Vink, accounting for 0.002% of the population, with the majority living in British Columbia.
In the Netherlands, the surname is very common. Since Dutch citizens are required to register their last name with the government, there are roughly 40,000 individuals bearing the name Vink living in the country today, accounting for 0.4% of the population. The vast majority live in the provinces of North Holland and South Holland.
In other places around the world, the Vink surname is uncommon. In Norway, only a few hundred individuals are named Vink. In Australia, there are fewer than 200 people named Vink.
In summary, the surname Vink is still most commonly found in The Netherlands, the United States, Canada, and to a lesser extent, other parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Vink
The surname Vink is a Dutch name of Germanic origin derived from the German word "vink" which means a small finch bird. There are various ways to spell the surname; these include but not limited to: Van Vinken, Van Vincke, Van Vyncke, Van Wyngen, Van Winkle, and Winke, as well as Wink, Wynke, Winki and Minke.
The ancestral seat of the Vink family was in the province of Groningen in the Netherlands. It is documented that there were numerous branches of the same family who used the various spellings of their name in the 17th and 18th centuries. This can be found in various records from the Netherlands such as land, church and tax records.
In addition, the name likely made its way into the United States when the early Dutch settlers arrived. There are records of the various spellings in census, military and church records in America as well, though it is likely that many of the variants listed above have continued to be used.
Common misspellings and typos of Vink that you may see include: Vnick, Vwnk, Vinke, Winki, Wink, and Vnican. If you are researching your Dutch ancestry, it is important to keep these variants in mind so that you can maximize your search effort and ensure you are looking at all available records.
Famous people with the name Vink
- Joe Vink, American curler
- Chris Vink, Dutch footballer
- Jan Vink, Dutch politician
- Julia Vink, Dutch Paralympic athlete
- Aarts Vink, Dutch javelin thrower
- Robbert Vink, Dutch actor and journalist
- Rianne Vink, Dutch sociologist and urban geographer
- Henk Adriaan Vink, Dutch poet and journalist
- Niek Vink, Dutch cyclist
- Bart Vink, German darts player