Surname Guinegaw - Meaning and Origin
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Guinegaw: What does the surname Guinegaw mean?
The last name Guinegaw is believed to be of Spanish origin and is a variant spelling of the name Guiniguaya. The name is believed to be derived from the Spanish word "guineo," meaning "banana." Because of this, it is assumed that the original holders of the name had some connection to either bananas or the region in which they are cultivated.
The surnames Guiniguaya and Guinegaw have been historically most concentrated in the region of Castilla La Mancha, in central Spain, due to the presence of many banana plantations in the area.
The name is also occasionally found in other Spanish-speaking countries of Latin America, due to the presence of the fruit there.
The likely original meaning of the name has been lost over time, so the present day holders of the name might not be aware of its origin. However, regardless of its eventual original meaning, the Guinegaw surname has persisted over many centuries, and today it represents the bonds that unite a family and its descendants over generations.
Order DNA origin analysisGuinegaw: Where does the name Guinegaw come from?
The last name Guinegaw is most commonly found today in Benin, formerly the former West African nation of Dahomey. The country is located in West Africa, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, and Togo. It is a small nation of roughly 11 million people, making it the 77th largest country in the world. The official language of Benin is French and the official religion is Christianity, however, indigenous beliefs and traditions are also widely practiced.
Though it is uncertain how the last name Guinegaw came to be, it is highly likely that it originally came from a particular clan in Benin. Guinegaw is a common surname among the members of the Bétamaribé, a sub-group of the Fon/Ewe peoples of Benin. They are thought to be descendants of a famous king, Kponmovilõ (Êhoin), who founded the first kingdom of Benin, known as the Daoura. Today, the Bétamaribé are active in both Benin and nearby Togo, where many still carry the Guinegaw name.
It is difficult to determine how many Guinegaws are living today; however, it is clear that the last name is still quite common in Benin. Its members proudly display the name, and its history, as a symbol of ethnic identity, and in celebration of the accomplishments of their royal ancestor.
Variations of the surname Guinegaw
The surname Guinegaw is of French origin, derived from the Old French personal name Guening, which is likely from the Germanic given name Winin. This surname has a number of variants, spellings, and other surnames of the same origin.
Variations of Guinegaw include Guegnaw, Gwinnigow, Gwinagow, Guenageau/Guenagaud, and Guenigo.
The alternative spellings and surnames are Guéguen, Guégant, Guanigou, Guenegu, Guingued, and Gueginot.
Some of the English spellings of this surname include Gwiniger, Gwininchum, Gwinangkow, and Goonagow.
Other variations of this surname are Guening, Gwinnig, Guenogar, Guenegaon, Gueneka, Guénolé, Gueneau, Guenego, Guenege, Quenega, Gweguen, Guengue, and Guenguet.
The surnames Gueningau, Guenahu, Guenahou, Gueningea, Gueningha, and Gueningoa are also of the same origin.
In conclusion, the surname Guinegaw and its variants have a wide range of spellings and other related surnames. Some of the variants include Guéguen, Guégant, Guanigou, Guenegu, Guingued, Gueginot, Gwiniger, Gwininchum, Gwinangkow, Goonagow, Guening, Gwinnig, Guenogar, Guenegaon, Gueneka, Guénolé, Gueneau, Guenego, Guenege, Quenega, Gweguen, Guengue, Guenguet, Gueningau, Guenahu, Guenahou, Gueningea, Gueningha, and Gueningoa.
Famous people with the name Guinegaw
- Fode Guinegaw: Former Guinean Prime Minister
- Mamadi Guinegaw: Guinean novelist
- Ibrahima Guinegaw: Guinean writer and journalist
- Jacques Roux Guinegaw: Guinean politician
- Salikinu Guinegaw: Guinean artist and muralist
- Mahamane Amisdji Guinegaw: Former Prime Minister of Niger
- Lykouba Guinegaw: Translator and Minister of Culture of Guinea
- Marième Ty Guinegaw: Guinean politician and civil servant
- Salifou Guinegaw: Guinean jurist and diplomat
- Adama Guinegaw: Guinean diplomat and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs