Venè last name popularity, history, and meaning

Find out how popular the last name Venè is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Venè.

Meaning of Venè

A surname of Italian origin referring to someone from Venice or the Venetian region.

Venè, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Venè surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Venè in America

Venè is the 134929th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Venè surname appeared 115 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Venè.

The history of the last name Venè

The surname Vene is believed to have its origins in Northern Europe, specifically within the regions that today comprise Norway, Denmark, and Sweden. The earliest references to the name emerge around the early medieval period, with specific instances appearing in the 12th and 13th centuries. In these areas, the name was often linked to the old Norse word "ven," which translates to "friend" or "hope." This etymological root suggests that the name may have initially been used as a term of endearment or camaraderie.

In historical documents, the surname Vene appears sporadically, often in association with land records, trade accounts, and local governance manuscripts. One of the oldest known mentions of the surname can be traced to a Danish manuscript from the year 1210, where a certain Karl Vene is recorded as a landholder in the Jutland Peninsula. This early record highlights the name’s presence among the landed gentry, suggesting a degree of social standing and influence.

Another notable figure includes Ingrid Vene, a Swedish noblewoman born circa 1245, who is mentioned in various charters and records from the Södermanland region. Her family was known to have owned several estates, and she is often remembered for her significant contributions to the local church and charities. The spelling of the surname in these records has remained consistent, although minor variations, such as Venne or Wen, occasionally appear, likely due to the transcription practices of the period.

The surname also found its way into the annals of Norwegian history, with Olaf Vene, a merchant and councilman in Bergen during the late 1300s, being a notable character. His influence in regional trade and politics is documented in several codices and trade logs. Olaf Vene's active participation in the Hanseatic League, a powerful economic alliance of trading cities, underscores the name’s association with commerce and civic leadership.

Throughout the Renaissance and into the early modern period, the surname Vene continued to appear in various parts of Northern Europe. One significant individual, Johan Vene, born in 1472 in Denmark, became well-known as a scholar and advisor to the court of King Christian II. His contributions to the legal and administrative reforms of the time are still recognized and can be cross-referenced in royal decrees and correspondences of the period.

Moving further into the late 16th century, we encounter Maria Vene, a figure from Norway who distinguished herself in the arts. Born in 1568, she gained prominence for her works in tapestry and embroidery, which were highly valued at various Scandinavian courts. Her creations and the patronage she received are documented in various letters and inventories, providing a glimpse into the cultural contributions of those bearing the Vene name.

While the surname Vene may not be exceedingly common, its historical roots and instances of prominence in Scandinavian history weave a rich tapestry of social, economic, and cultural significance. Each mention of the surname in records offers a snapshot of the periods in which these individuals lived, reflecting the diverse roles and contributions of individuals bearing the name Vene throughout history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Venè

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Venè.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

  1. White only
  2. Black only
  3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
  4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
  5. Hispanic
  6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Venè was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only 80.00% 92
Non-Hispanic Black Only (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only 13.04% 15
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races (S)% (S)
Hispanic Origin (S)% (S)

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Venè was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Venè, please contact us.

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"Venè last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on May 21, 2025. http://namecensus.com/last-names/vene-surname-popularity/.

"Venè last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/vene-surname-popularity/. Accessed 21 May, 2025

Venè last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/vene-surname-popularity/.

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