Updated February 15, 2024 Share: Table of contents Family name origins & meanings English : nickname from fend, a shortened form of defend, thus ‘defender’. South German : from Alemannic Venner ‘flag bearer’, ‘ensign’ or Fähndrich, which has the same meaning (see Fenrich). South German : variant of Fendler. Appears on 75 Baby Names Inspired by Rock Stars and Rock & Roll