Surname Saenen - Meaning and Origin
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Saenen: What does the surname Saenen mean?
The last name Saenen is of Belgian origin and is an occupational surname that refers to someone who was a shoemaker. This type of name was derived from the occupation of the original bearer of the surname, who was likely a maker of shoes at a village shop or factory. Over time, the last name Saenen began to be passed down through generations in families from Belgium, and it can still be found in regions in Belgium, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and scattered throughout other parts of Europe.
The root of the last name Saenen is believed to come from a Dutch word that translates to “shoe”, or “shoe maker”. Shoemaking was a common trade in Belgium during the 13th century, giving way to the popularity of the last name Saenen.
The oldest documented instance of the name is in Belgium in the year 1550, in a book of wills in which a woman by the name of Marie Saenen left a legacy to her family. As the surname was passed down through generations of families, it eventually traveled outside of Belgium and can be found in other parts of the world now.
The last name Saenen has evolved over the years, with slight variations in spelling such as Saeleman, Sandman, Sandmaecker, or Saeneman. However, today it remains a distinct Dutch name that is unique in its spelling and meaning.
Order DNA origin analysisSaenen: Where does the name Saenen come from?
The last name Saenen is most commonly found today in Belgium and in certain parts of France. Specifically, Saenen is more common in the Walloon region of Belgium, which includes the provinces of Liège, Namur, Luxembourg, and Hainaut. Outside of Belgium, Saenen is especially common in the province of Lorraine in France.
In Belgium, the last name is quite old and likely originated from Dutch. It is believed to have derived from a diminutive of the personal name Sint-Jan, which translates to Saint John in English. From this name, it is thought that Saenen is a patronymic surname.
As of 2018, there were about 5,000 individuals in Belgium registered with the last name Saenen, making it the 641st most common name in the country at the time. Additionally, in France there were about 3,000 individuals registered with the surname Saenen.
In the United States, the last name Saenen is much less common, but still present. Statistics from 2011 showed about 200 individuals in the US with this last name. Overall, Saenen is currently most common in Belgium and parts of France, where it has had a long history.
Variations of the surname Saenen
The surname Saenen is a Belgian-originated name that has several variants, spellings, and surnames stemming from the same origin. Some of the most common variants include Saen, Saene, Saenen, Saeneman, Saenhaut, Senen, and Saens.
Saen is the original and oldest variant of the name. It is commonly found throughout Belgium and its neighboring countries, such as Netherlands, France, Germany, and Luxembourg.
Saene is the Dutch version of the surname, and is found mainly in parts of Netherlands.
Saenen is the most common variant of the name, and is the spelling used in the official Belgian form of the surname. It is pronounced “SAY-nen” and is found mainly in Belgian regions, such as East Flanders and West Flanders.
Saeneman is a German variant of the name. It is found mostly in Northern Germany, and is pronounced “SAY-nuh-mahn”.
Saenhaut is primarily concentrated in Grand Est region of France, in the Ardennes Mountains. It is pronounced “SAY-no-toh”.
Senen is the French version of the surname, found mainly in French-speaking regions. It is pronounced “SAY-nen”.
Lastly, Saens is the English-language spelling for the surname. It is primarily found in the United States.
Overall, the surname Saenen is derived from the Dutch word “Saen” which means “saddle maker”. This was often the occupation of those bearing this surname, and it is possible they may be related to Saddlers, Smiths or Farmers.
Famous people with the name Saenen
- Tom Saenen: Belgian rally driver and television presenter
- Geert Saenen: Belgian footballer
- Gustaaf Saenen: Belgian politician
- Kris Saenen: Belgian mud wrestler and reality television star
- Jef Saenen: Belgian-born diplomat
- Danny Saenen: Belgian professional soccer player
- Louis Saenen: Former member of the Belgian Parliament
- Bart Saenen: Belgian figure skater and Olympic bronze medalist
- Piet Saenen: Prolific Dutch painter
- Filip Saenen: Belgian jazz musician