Surname Dening - Meaning and Origin
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Dening: What does the surname Dening mean?
Dening is a surname of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is derived from the medieval personal name Denny, which itself is a diminutive of the name Dennis. Dennis comes from the Greek name Dionysius meaning "follower of Dionysos", the god of wine and revelry in Greek mythology. The suffix '-ing' was often added to such personal names to create a surname, meaning 'descendants of' or 'family of'. Therefore, the surname Dening roughly translates to 'the family or descendants of Denny' or 'the family or descendants of the follower of Dionysus'. It is important to remember that surnames can have multiple meanings and origins, as they were often given based on a person's occupation, location, or personal characteristics. The surname distribution data indicates higher concentrations of people with the Dening surname in the United Kingdom and Australia. Like many surnames, over centuries and across continents, it may have evolved and been anglicized, possibly changing its original pronunciation and spelling.
Order DNA origin analysisDening: Where does the name Dening come from?
The surname Dening originates from England, where it has been recorded in various forms since the mid 12th century. It might have a locational basis, possibly from the Old English compound "Dene-ingas", meaning “people living in the valley”, or "dean", indicating someone living near a valley. Dening could also be a derivation of the name Dunning, an old personal name from the Old English word "Dunn", implying a dark complexioned man.
In current times, an exact measure of how common the name is proves a little tricky due to variations in spelling (such as Denning, Denin, or Dennin). In general, Dening tends to be more prevalent in English-speaking countries like the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Australia, with a particular concentration in the south-west counties of England. However, it remains comparatively rare, indicating that it might have maintained its unique geographical or personal origin rather than evolving into a widespread surname. Even in England, it is not among the most common of surnames.
Variations of the surname Dening
The surname Dening appears to be of Anglo-Saxon origin with various variants and spelling over the centuries. It may be a derivative of the Old English personal name Dene, which means 'valley', or the names Denis or Dionysius. Some of the different variants and spelling of the surname Dening include Denning, Dennings, Dennyng, Denyng, Deninge, Dennynge, Denyne, and Denyn. However, each spelling could have a different origin and family history attached to it.
Other variant spellings may include Deening, Deenning, and Deenyng, among others. These variations mainly developed due to the fluid spelling rules that characters English surnames' long history. People often spelled names as they sounded, leading to a great deal of variation.
As for surnames of the same origin, those that derive from the personal name Denis or Dionysius are likely to have the same origin as Dening. Dennis, Denniss, Dennisson, Denison, Dennison are some common examples. Surnames associated with geographical features, like Valley (interpretation for Dene), may also share similar origins.
By using these variations and potentially related surnames, one can expand the search for genealogical records, bringing to light more ancestors and relatives.
Famous people with the name Dening
- Emma Dening: widely recognized in the UK for her contribution to the field of psychiatry.
- J.E. Dening: a British artist who was known for teaching and exhibiting her work in South Africa during the early 20th century.
- Graeme Dening: former professional footballer from Australia.
- Greg Dening: a historian born in Australia. He was a renowned scholar of Pacific history.
- Drew Dening: a successful Canadian businessman and senior executive at Toyota Canada.
- Sue Dening: a British nurse and author. She specialized in the care of children with life-threatening diseases.
- Gary Dening: an Australian golfer who played in the PGA Tour of Australasia.
- Tim Dening: a popular British comedian and television star.
- John Dening: a British actor known for his role in the television series "The Avengers."
- Ron Dening: a retired British Navy officer.