Surname Spierink - Meaning and Origin
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Spierink: What does the surname Spierink mean?
The last name Spierink is a Dutch name thought to have originated in the 16th century. It is derived from the words 'spier' which means 'muscle', and 'ink' which means 'ink'. The meaning of the surname is believed to mean 'an ink maker who makes ink from muscles'. It is believed that this originated from the production of ink from animal hide pieces.
The earliest recorded use of the last name is from 1669 in Amsterdam, when a couple named Arent and Geertje Spierink were recorded as having been married. The name was most likely bestowed upon them as an occupational name for the craft they worked in.
Spierink has also been recorded as Spireink, Spierenk, and Spirenecke. These were all variations of the same name.
Throughout the history of the name, it has been carried by people of various backgrounds living spread across the Netherlands, Belgium, and the United States. Today, Spierink's are found mostly in Holland, the United States, Canada, and Australia.
The name holds a special significance for those who carry it, as it promotes a culture and history that takes pride in a shared ancestry. The significance of ink from animal hide pieces and its purpose has been lost with time, but it remains a surname associated with a unique history.
Order DNA origin analysisSpierink: Where does the name Spierink come from?
The last name Spierink originated in the Netherlands and is still most commonly found there today. Spierink is a patronymic surname of Dutch origin, meaning "son of Spier". It is most common in the east of the country, in the provinces of Gelderland and Overijssel, as well as in the provinces of Drenthe and Groningen.
The vast majority of people with the last name Spierink are direct descendants of one family originating from these areas in the Netherlands. In recent years, there have been more cases of people from outside the Netherlands taking on the surname in countries such as the United States. However, Spierink remains very uncommon outside its homeland.
There is also evidence of a very small number of Spierink families in Germany, mainly in the lower Rhineland, mainly stemming from emigrants arriving in the country over the course of the 19th and early 20th centuries from the Netherlands.
All in all, Spierink is still largely restricted to the Netherlands, but individuals with the name can be found across the globe. Given its patrilineal nature, there are a great many relations that still bear the name in the Netherlands today.
Variations of the surname Spierink
The surname Spierink is known to be of Dutch, Swiss-German, and/or East-Frisian (Lower Saxon and North Frisian) origin. Common variant spellings include Spiering, Spierings, Spierynck, Spierinks, and Spyring. The surname can be found throughout both the Netherlands and Germany.
Spiering is the most common spelling of the surname, as this is its Dutch variation. The name is derived from the Old Dutch word "spierinc" which means a metalworker. The use of a “g” at the end of the surname is usually a sign of Dutch origin. The spelling “Spierinks” is also seen quite frequently in the Netherlands, with both “i” and “y” letters often being used interchangeably.
Spierynck is the prevalent Swiss-German spelling, while the more uncommon form Spyring is also primarily associated with Swiss-German origin. The spelling with a “y” or a “k” is an indication that the surname has its origin with the Swiss-Germans.
In East-Frisian (Lower Saxon) the main spelling of the surname is Spierink, and is found mainly in the area of East-Frisia, just to the west of Schleswig-Holstein.
These variant spellings all encompass the same surname origin, though they have developed the distinct spelling variations over time as family lines moved from one region to another.
Famous people with the name Spierink
- Zwarico Spierink: Zwarico Spierink is a Dutch darts player who competed in the 2019 BDO World Championship.
- Maud Spierink: Maud Spierink is a Dutch disruptor and dance innovator, best known as the founder of Dance Rebel, a studio that teaches people to use dance as a form of creativity and expression.
- Peter Spierink: Peter Spierink is a Dutch former professional footballer who played as a winger for clubs throughout Europe.
- Peter Paul Spierink: Peter Paul Spierink is a Dutch priest who is a member of the Order of Preachers.
- Jan Spierink: Jan Spierink is a Dutch osteopath and integrative therapist.
- Fred Spierink: Fred Spierink is a Dutch stand-up comic and cabaret artist.
- Wladimir Spierink: Wladimir Spierink is a Dutch former professional footballer who is currently a sports trainer.
- Tom Spierink: Tom Spierink is a Dutch artist, best known for his work in the areas of comics, graphic design, and painting.