Surname Koens - Meaning and Origin
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Koens: What does the surname Koens mean?
The last name Koens is derived from the Dutch language and reveals a lot about the history of the people with the last name. The word koen is derived from the Dutch word “koning”, meaning “king”, and is usually found as “de Koens” which identifies the family as royalty or nobles. The name could also have been taken from the Middle Dutch word "conin" meaning "prince”.
It is likely that the Koens family was once a noble house with feudal holdings in the Low Countries centuries ago and the name became a hereditary surname from ruling families of the region. The “Koen” part typically refers to the head of the house, although the members of the house could also adopt the same name.
The name Koens may also be biblical, derived from the Hebrew name “Cain,” which means “possession.” As a result, the family could come from a long line of religious figures.
The Koens surname is found mostly in the Netherlands, Belgium, and parts of France. It is considered a rare name; those with the last name likely have ties to the aforementioned areas or come from families that moved to other countries.
Koens is a unique last name steeped in history with many possibilities for what it may mean or where it comes from. Do some research to learn more about the history of the Koens family and its origins.
Order DNA origin analysisKoens: Where does the name Koens come from?
The last name Koens is most commonly found today in The Netherlands. In 2019, roughly 7,124 people carried the last name Koens as their surname in The Netherlands, making it the 393rd most popular last name in the country. Although it originated as a Dutch surname, Koens is still found throughout Europe, with significant numbers of people in Germany and Belgium. It is also present in other countries, including the United States, Australia, Canada, and South Africa.
The etymology of the name is believed to be derived from the Dutch “coens,” meaning “bold and brave.” However, the exact origin of the name is unverified. Similarly, it is not known what the original spelling of the name may have been, since it has changed in a variety of ways throughout the centuries.
The variations of the name tend to differ by the country in which it is carried. In The Netherlands it is most commonly spelled as Koens, but in Germany it is typically written Könns and in Belgium it is often written as Koenen. In other countries, such as the United States, it can be spelled Koens but other variations are also common, such as Koons, Kohns, Koenars, and Koenig.
Variations of the surname Koens
The most common spelling and variant of the surname Koens is Koen. This last name is typically found in Dutch and German-speaking countries. Other spellings and alternate surnames of the same origin include Köhn, Köen, Köens, Köenig, König, Königs, and Königer.
The Koen and Köhn surname is derived from the German word “könig” meaning “king.” This suggests the original bearer of the name likely once held a title or position of power or royalty.
The Dutch spelling of the surname is Koens. The Dutch form of the word “koning” - which means king in English - is "koen" and the Dutch suffix "-s" indicates the patronymic meaning "son of." Therefore, the surname Koens is believed to be a patronymic, originally meaning "son of Koen" or "son of the king."
The Köenig and König surname is derived from the Germanic word “könig” which is the same meaning as the Dutch form of the word “koen,” meaning king. Therefore, the surname Köenig and König would have originally been a reference to someone who was a king or held power.
The surname Köens and Königs is similar to the Dutch Koens and German Köenig and König pilgrimage surnames, but with different spellings. Köenig and König generally refer to those who are of royal descent, while Köens and Königs refer to those who are believed to be servants or warriors of the king.
The surname Königer is a variation of the Dutch and German Koens, Köcn, Köenig, and König surnames, meaning "descendant of koen". This suggests that the original bearer of this last name was likely a descendent of someone with a royal title, and was used to distinguish them from other holders of the surname.
Famous people with the name Koens
- Eveline Koens: Dutch actress best known for her television roles.
- Danielle Koens: Belgian actress known for her roles in Tina & Bettina and the television series Dutch Treat.
- Jessica Koens: Dutch reality TV star best known for her appearance on the Dutch version of Big Brother.
- Isabelle Koens: Dutch singer and actress who rose to fame with the Eurovision Song Contest entry for The Netherlands in 2016.
- Abe Koens: Dutch professional basketball player who currently plays for the EiffelTowers Den Bosch in the Dutch Basketball League.
- Santiago Koens: Dutch actor and singer best known for his role in the film Hart Beat and his album (" When the Night Falls ").
- Silvio Koens: Dutch tenor, well-known for his performances in Verdi operas.
- Joris Koens: Dutch football midfielder who currently plays for NAC Breda in Eredivisie.
- Maaike Koens: Dutch TV presenter and model.
- Kim Koens: Dutch singer-songwriter and vocalist who has lent her voice to numerous film soundtracks.