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The Most Famous People with Every Mennonite Surname

Have you ever wondered who is the most famous person with your surname? No? Well, you’re just being humble, I suppose. And that’s okay. But for those Mennonites who have less-than-traditional views on this matter, here is a list of the most famous person for many of the most common Low German Mennonite surnames. Please note, that for each surname, I’m including a notable person who has some kind of Mennonite background. Some surnames are shared among other groups of people, which explains why, for example, surgeon general C. Everett Koop is not included for the surname Koop, comedian Russel Peters is not included for the surname Peters or say, The Odd Couple‘s Felix Unger for the surname Unger. etc. You get the idea. Please send your complaints to you-forgot-my-uncle-Johan-he’s-pretty-famous-too@gmail.com

Barkman Rev. Jakob Barkman – founder of Steinbach, Manitoba, drowned in Red River in 1875

BergenDavid Bergen – award-winning novelist

BrandtDi Brandt – former Poet Laureate of Winnipeg

DoerksenBrian Doerksen – Christian musician/worship leader

DueckDora Dueck – award-winning Canadian novelist

DyckHoward Dyck – Canadian conductor and radio broadcaster

EnsSarah Ens – award-winning Canadian poet

FehrDarcy Fehr – Canadian actor known for his collaborations with Guy Maddin

FriesenDyan Cannon (nee Friesen) – American actress nominated for three Academy Awards

FunkAnnie Funk – American missionary, only known Mennonite victim of the Titanic disaster

GiesbrechtGordon Giesbrecht – physiologist known as “Professor Popsicle”

GoertzenKelvin Goertzen – former Premier of Manitoba (briefly)

GroeningMatt Groening – American cartoonist, creator of The Simpsons

HarderPeter Harder – Canadian senator

HeppnerBen Heppner – renowned tenor, opera singer

HiebertPaul Hiebert – award-winning author of Sarah Binks

JanzenRhoda Janzen – best-selling American author

Klassen –  Cindy Klassen – six-time Olympic medalist in speed skating

KoopWanda Koop – renowned visual artist

LoewenRay Loewen – founder of Loewen Funeral Group as depicted in 2023 film The Burial

NeufeldPatrick Neufeld – Grey Cup-winning offensive lineman

Penner  – Fred Penner – legendary children’s entertainer.

PetersVic Peters – Brier-winning curler

PlettCasey Plett – Giller-nominated author

Reimer  James Reimer – goaltender for the Buffalo Sabres

RempelAganetha Dyck (nee Rempel) – Governor General’s Award-winning artist

SawatzkyMichelle Sawatzky – Olympic volleyball player and radio personality

ThiessenTiffani Amber Thiessen – American actress, Beverly Hills 90210 (a Thiessen through her father’s stepfather)

ToewsMiriam Toews – major figure in 21st century Canadian literature

UngerAndrew Unger – award-winning satirist … okay maybe it’s hockey player Garry Unger

WallBrad Wall – former Premier of Saskatchewan … or maybe his son Colter?

WiebeRudy Wiebe – renowned Canadian novelist

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