Surname Jans - Meaning and Origin
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Jans: What does the surname Jans mean?
The last name Jans is a Dutch name that originated in the Netherlands. It was derived from the nickname Jan which was a shorter version of the names Johannes and Johan. The name is derived from the Hebrew name Yehochanan or Yehohanan meaning "God is gracious".
The etymology of the surname Jans is attributed to the Old Dutch word jan, which means "God has been gracious". It first appeared in the Middle Ages, indicating membership in proud and powerful old families that could trace ancestry back through ancestry books and records.
Over time, the name evolved, giving rise to new variations of the surname. Variations include Janz, Jansen, Janssen, Jansma, Jansman, and Jansse. The last name Jans can also be a patronymic name, derived from the father’s first name, especially in German-speaking countries.
The surname Jans is found throughout Europe, with most of the family members living in the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, and France. Some have spread to the United States and other countries around the world.
The last name Jans is strongly associated with perseverance, honor, intelligence, and loyalty. Individuals with this name can have a real appreciation for the simple things in life and application of these values privileges them peace and prosperity.
Order DNA origin analysisJans: Where does the name Jans come from?
The surname Jans is a common name today in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany and Scandinavia. It is also present in certain parts of Central and Eastern Europe. In the Netherlands, Jans is the 48th most common surname. It is one of the oldest Dutch surnames and was recorded as early as 1201. The United Kingdom also has quite a few Janses, ranking 28,661 in terms of its frequency. In Belgium, the name is also quite common, being the 234th most frequent surname.
In Germany the name is relatively uncommon, although there are a few towns and villages which feature Jans in their names, such as Zwillbrock, Jansau, and Janschwalde. In Scandinavia, the name is more common, with Jansson being the 13th most common surname in Sweden and Jansen the 19th most common surname in Norway. Interestingly, it is also present in Russian Crimea, although spelled differently - "Yanusov".
Overall, the surname Jans is quite widespread today, being present in many countries across Europe. It is still most common in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, although it is found in various other locations as well.
Variations of the surname Jans
The surname Jans has multiple variants, spellings and alternatives of the same origin that can be seen around the world. One of the most common ones is the Dutch spelling Jansz. This variant is especially frequent in The Netherlands, as it is the country's standard spelling form. It may also be seen as Janszen or Janssens.
The English form of the name is usually spelled Jansen. This variation may also be seen as Jantsen, Janson or Janssen.
In German, the surname is spelled Janssen. In other related Germanic languages, such as Low German or Frisian, it may also be seen as Jansen or Janson.
In Scandinavia, the variants Jansson and Jaensson have been used to a great extent.
As for the variants of the same origin, we can find Johannsen (from the original German form Johannes), Jonassen (from the Greek form of the name Jon or John), Johansen (from the form of Jan and Hans), Johnson (from the English form of Jan and John) and Johanessen (from the Norwegian form of Jon and Hans).
The Portuguese spelling of the name is Jans. In the Spanish language, it typically appears as Jáñez, and in the Italian language, it takes the form Giansen / Gianzini.
In Eastern Europe, the name Jans can be seen with the Polish spelling Janeczka or Jankowski or the Czech spelling Zánszky or Jančárek.
Overall, the surname Jans has many variations and alternatives of the same origin, and is still common throughout Europe and in other parts of the world.
Famous people with the name Jans
- Mark Jans, the Olympic speed skater who won a silver medal at the 2002 Winter Olympics.
- Luuk Jans, Dutch goalkeeper who currently plays for Eredivisie side Willem II.
- Willem Jans, former Dutch footballer who represented the Netherlands on several occasions during the late 1800s and early 1900s.
- Laurie Jans, Australian actor and screenwriter known for his roles in Theflying Doctors, All Saints and Neighbours.
- Tara Jans, award-winning Dutch film producer and director.
- Gerard Jans, Dutch sergeant who was one of the first Allied soldiers to enter the Dachau concentration camp during WWII.
- Melissa Jans, Dutch fashion designer known for her modern interpretation of timeless silhouette classics.
- Arjen Jans, Dutch footballer who represented Netherlands U21s in the late ‘90s.
- Abraham Jans, Dutch artist famous for his 18th century canvas paintings and etchings.
- Pieter Jans, Dutch artist known for his 16th century portraits.