Surname Menis - Meaning and Origin

Menis: What does the surname Menis mean?

The surname Menis is not specific to a particular cultural, ethnic, or regional group, and therefore its meaning isn't easily deciphered. Given that surnames can originate from various sources such as occupational identifiers, geographical locations, or personal characteristics, Menis could potentially have various meanings depending on its origin. In some cases, Menis could be a variant of the Greek name Menes, who was said to be the first pharaoh of a unified Egypt. In other contexts, particularly in Lithuanian, "Menis" can refer to 'art' or 'craft'. Without a specific cultural or geographic context, it's difficult to definitively determine the meaning of the surname Menis. Also, many surnames have evolved over time, further complicating the process of tracing their origins and meanings. As such, for a more accurate interpretation of this surname, genealogical or historical research would be required.

Menis: Where does the name Menis come from?

The surname Menis is of Greek origin and is derived from the Greek male personal name Menas or Menes, which was notably borne by an early Christian saint martyred in Egypt. The modern Greek spellings include Meneas, Menis, or Menios. This surname also has a record in Jewish Ashkenazic history and could have possibly emerged from there into general use.

The geographical distribution of the name Menis is dispersed globally with a significant concentration in the United States. According to the available census data, the surname is relatively rare but is more common in New York and New Jersey. The invasion of Greece by the Ottoman Empire led to a Greek diaspora resulting in Greek names like Menis being found outside Greece. In Europe, it is most common in Italy, specifically in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region. Its presence in Italy might be attributed to the influence of the Byzantine Empire. However, even in these places, the name is not widespread and is considered relatively infrequent.

Variations of the surname Menis

The surname Menis can have several variants and spellings that are derived from the same or similar origin. Some of these variants are: Mennis, Menas, Menus, Menniss, Menyss, and Mannis. In terms of spelling, similar to how they appear in various ethnic backgrounds, they include Meniz, Meniss, Menys, Menisz, and Menes.

For the surnames of the same origin, it includes the Jewish surname "Menes" which is derived from the Hebrew name Menahem, meaning "comforter." In Greek background, the surname "Menis" translates to "wrath" or "rage" and also has a link to ancient Greek mythology where Menis is the first word of the Iliad and signifies wrath or fury.

It's crucial to note that surname origins can strongly depend on geographic location, cultural shifts, and linguistic changes. Therefore, variations might occur even within a single family lineage. Often, variations in surnames were based on factors like phonetic spelling or translation between languages, regional dialects, or even immigration and anglicization. For example, Menis might be modified to Mennison or Menison in English-speaking countries. Therefore, it's advisable to dig into family history, studied along with historical, cultural, and linguistic factors, for accurate tracing.

Famous people with the name Menis

• Celso Menis: Argentinian journalist.
• Vladimiro Menis: Bolivian politician, minister for indigenous affairs.
• José Alberto Jofre Menis: Chilean politician, senator.
• Rafael Benitez Menis: Venezuelan-American military officer.
• Zlatko Menis: Croatian surrealist painter.
• Carlos García Menis: Ecuadorian politician, minister of economy and finance.
• Célia Menis: Brazilian singer, songwriter and actress.
• Keren Menis: Israeli painter.
• Tiago Menis: Uruguayan association footballer.
• Braulio Menis: Argentine former professional basketball player.
• Antonio Menis: Spanish Inca who was governor of Nueva Taxila.
• Mario Menis: Italian actor.
• David Menis: Argentinian actor.
• Orlando Menis: Puerto Rican actor, director and producer.
• Rosa Menis: Italian film and television actress.
• Leticia Menis: Spanish-French actress, singer and model.
• Amilcar Menis: Uruguay footballer.
• Lucas Menis: Gambian football midfielder.
• Ruben Menis: Spanish footballer.
• Giovanni Menis: Italian painter and art teacher.
• Duarte Menis: Portuguese philosopher and professor.
• Laszlo Menis: Hungarian film editor.
• Zdenek Menis: Czech drummer.
• Víctor Méniz: Spanish footballer.

Other surnames

Menietti