Anthonis

Anthonis is a masculine given name found in the Dutch-speaking world. It is a variant of Antonius, the Latin form that underlies the name Anthony, and it has been used in the Netherlands and the Flemish parts of Belgium since the Middle Ages. Names such as Anthonis reflect the common practice of adapting Latin saints’ names to vernacular spelling. Over time, related forms such as Anthonijs, Antoon, and Antonius appeared in historical records, sometimes used interchangeably in the same family.

The name's prevalence waned in modern times, but it persists in archival materials, genealogical sources, and as a historical given name. In Dutch and Flemish antiquarian documents, Anthonis appears across various social strata, including clergy, merchants, and artisans, indicating its broad medieval reach. The spelling Anthonis and its variants often served as a patronymic marker in genealogies, signaling “son of Anthonis” in family records.

Cultural and religious associations center on Saint Anthony of Padua and Saint Anthony the Great, whose veneration helped spread related forms across Europe. The name thus belongs to a wider family of Antonius-derived names that migrated from Latin into vernacular Dutch.

Today Anthonis is primarily encountered in historical contexts rather than as a common contemporary given name, with occasional use by those preserving family or regional traditions. It remains of interest to scholars of Dutch onomastics and genealogy.