Surname Ginks - Meaning and Origin
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Ginks: What does the surname Ginks mean?
The last name Ginks is an English surname and is derived from the name Gink, an old English word meaning 'pale-faced'. Ginks was an ancient nickname used to describe an individual with pale skin or a pale-faced complexion.
In some cases, the name Ginks may be derived from the medieval nickname Gynke, meaning 'a youth' or 'youthful man'. In a few cases, the surname Ginks may have derived from the Dutch word 'Ginck', meaning 'a person with fragile or delicate features'.
Ginks is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, especially in Worcestershire and Yorkshire, though it is also found in other European countries.
The earliest known record of the Ginks surname is in 1273, when Willam le Gynke was recorded in the documents of the Assize Court of the County Palatine of Lancaster.
Although the origins of the surname Ginks are unclear, it's likely that the name was given to people who belonged to a particular community with a distinct physical characteristic, such as pale skin, or a youthful appearance. Regardless of its origin, Ginks is a relatively rare surname and an interesting piece of family history.
Order DNA origin analysisGinks: Where does the name Ginks come from?
The last name Ginks is a rare name today. It is most commonly found in Europe, specifically England and Germany.
In England, records from the late eighteenth century show that Ginks families were primarily centred in Somerset near the River Parrett. Towards the end of the nineteenth century, records indicate that there were some Ginks families in London.
In Germany, records from the latter half of the nineteenth century show that the last name Ginks was most common in the area around the lower Elbe River. The area around this river is in the current state of Lower Saxony, between Bremen and Hamburg. There are a few scattered records of the name Ginks from elsewhere in Germany, but the majority is primarily located in this region.
Today, the last name Ginks is not as common as it was in the past. However, it is still present in Europe, particularly in regions of England and Germany. Despite being rare by comparison to other last names, Ginks is still a recognisable last name.
Variations of the surname Ginks
The surname Ginks can have various spellings and derivatives. Ginks can be spelled Gincks, Gingks, Gink and Gincks. Another way of spelling it is Gynks or Ginkss. Other variants include Ginx, Ginxe, Guns, Gynkes, Gynks and Gynkes.
Gincks or Gynks is a variant of Gincks or Ginks, which is originally derived from the old English pre 9th- and 10th-century word 'Geng', which translates to a 'send, journey, march or accompany'. ‘Ging’ is an old Anglo-Saxon personal name, and was occasionally used as a surname.
Derivatives of Ginks include Ginx, Ginxe, Guncks, Guynks, Gynkes, Gincks, Gincks and Gynkss. Ginx is likely to have been derived from the Middle English nickname ‘Gynk’ which is derived from the word 'gyang', for 'lively or active'. Ginxe is a variant of Gincks - this spelling suggests it originated in the West Country.
Gincks is likely to have been derived from the old English word ‘Genge’, meaning 'a journey or an escort'. Guns is believed to be derived from the nickname ‘Gonn’ which in turn is derived from the old English element 'Gonn' meaning 'strong'.
Gynkes is believed to be derived from an old English pre 7th-century nickname 'Garke' which is derived from the word ‘Gyrd’, meaning 'an enclosure or guard'. Gynkss is a variant of Gynks, a surname derived from 'Gynk', a Middle English nickname derived from 'gyang', which means 'lively or active'.
Famous people with the name Ginks
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- Konrad Gink (German professional sprinter and multi-event athlete)
- Lien Gink (British professional dancer and choreographer).