Surname Coenen - Meaning and Origin

Unravelling My Surname's Tale: A Journey into the Origin and History of Coenen Through iGENEA DNA Test

Using the iGENEA DNA test, I traced the history and origin of my surname 'Coenen', uncovering its storied past. A prominent Dutch and Flemish name, Coenen dates back to medieval times. Originating from the region now known as Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, the name is of patronymic origin and reflects a significant part of my cultural heritage.

S. Coenen

Coenen: What does the surname Coenen mean?

The last name Coenen is of Dutch (Netherlands) origin, and is derived from the given name Konijn, meaning "rabbit" in Dutch. The name first appeared in records in its Latinized form Cunicinus in the 12th century in the Netherlands.

Originally, Coenen was likely a nickname or descriptive name for someone who displayed an outwardly rabbit-like personality, such as being resourceful or timid. Alternatively, it could have referred to a farmer who bred rabbits.

Coenen families are believed to have had their roots in the province of Brabant in the 12th century where they were originally small landowners and farmers. Later, Coenens moved to the east, especially into Gelderland, Overijssel, Drenthe, and Groningen, as well as settling in other areas in the Netherlands.

The Coenen surname is common in the Netherlands. It is also found in German border regions like Nordrhine-Westfalen, as well as in the United States, where many Dutch settlers immigrated in the 19th century. Coenen is also occasionally used as a first name.

Coenen: Where does the name Coenen come from?

Coenen is a Dutch surname derived from the personal name “Coen”. It is a fairly common surname in the Netherlands and can also be found throughout Europe, particularly in German and Luxembourg areas. The surname is also present in other countries around the world including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, primarily as a result of Dutch immigrants who left the Netherlands during the 19th and 20th centuries.

In the United States, the Coenen surname is most heavily concentrated in Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, particularly along the Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, and Michigan border. According to the United States Census, approximately 4,000 people with the last name Coenen currently reside in the United States. In Canada, the surname is most heavily concentrated in Ontario and British Columbia. In Australia, it is most common in New South Wales and Victoria. In New Zealand, it is most common in Auckland.

Overall, while the surname Coenen is not especially rare, its relative rareness in comparison to much more common surnames like Smith or Johnson mean that it is unlikely the surname will ever become a widespread one. However, as long as Dutch heritage remains a part of other countries’ histories, the surname Coenen is likely to remain a part of those countries’ populations as well.

Variations of the surname Coenen

The surname Coenen is derived from the Dutch diminutive Conon and is usually spelled in the Dutch spelling Coenen. The surname is of Dutch origin and is derived from the Germanic name Konrad, meaning “bold counsel”. It is also found in other parts of Europe in various spellings and variants.

In the Netherlands, the surname is most commonly spelled Coenen. Variants of this spelling include Kooman, Coenmans, Coominiums and Koenen. In Germany, the surname is most often spelled Könen or König. Other variants of the surname found in Germany include Köning, Könin, Köninger, Königin and Königs.

In France, the surname is most often found spelled Koening and other variants include Koninck, Coninck, Koning, Konings and Koningen. In Belgium, the surname is spelled Koenen or Koening.

In the United States, the surname is spelled Coonan, Coen or Koonan. Other variants of the surname in the United States are Koonce and Koonen.

The spelling of the surname Coenen may be found in other countries with slight variations, and even in other countries with different spellings due to different varieties of Dutch adopted by different regions.

Famous people with the name Coenen

• Cees Coenen: Former Dutch football player
• Jelle Coenen: Dutch professional cyclist
• Bram Coenen: Dutch football coach and former player
• Marcel Coenen: Dutch guitarist and Vivaldi Metal Project founder
• Lynne Coenen: American politician and member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
• Sally Coenen: Dutch journalist and political commentator
• Anne Coenen: Dutch professional cyclist and member of the UCI Women’s World Team
• Martijn Coenen: Dutch model and celebrity
• Ellis Coenen: Dutch student, entrepreneur and philanthropist
• Wim Coenen: former Dutch football player and coach

Other surnames

CoeneCoenes