Surname Johannes - Meaning and Origin
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Johannes: What does the surname Johannes mean?
Johannes is a patronymic surname originating from a personal name that is derived from Hebrew. It is a form of the personal name Johanan or Yehohanan, which is derived from the Hebrew name Yohanan, meaning “God is gracious” or “graced by God.” It is a popular name in many cultures, most notably in Scandinavia and Germany.
The name Johannes immigrated to the United States in the late 1880’s, and has since become quite a popular surname in the United States as well. Today, the name is predominantly found in the Dutch, German, and Finnish populations in the United States.
Johannes is a very common surname in Spain, Portugal, and South America as well, likely due to a large influx of migration in the late 19th and early 20th century. In Spanish, the surname is most commonly found as the surname "de Juan," a patronymic form of the name Juan, which is derived from the same Hebrew name Yohanan.
The last name Johannes is an enduring piece of history from the Old Testament. It is a noble name which is symbolic of grace by God. It is a name which resonates with generations of families and passes on the tradition of grace, faith, and strength.
Order DNA origin analysisJohannes: Where does the name Johannes come from?
The last name Johannes is most common in German speaking countries such as Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. It is also found in Scandinavian countries such as Norway and Sweden. The name is also common in the Netherlands, and in France. Johannes is also a fairly common last name in the United States and Canada, although it is not as popular as in Europe.
Although the last name Johannes has its roots in Hebrew, it gained prominence in Medieval Europe. The name translates to “Yahweh is gracious” or “God is gracious”, reflecting the religious significance of the name for Christians during the Early Middle Ages. The popularity of Johannes peaked in the 15th century and has since then declined. The name remains common for several generations in families where it was once in common usage.
Johannes is still a very popular first name in Europe, and many variations of the last name have arisen off of this original version. In Germany, varieties such as Johannsen and Johannson are commonly found. Schmitt, Schmidt, and Smith are also popular variants in other countries.
Overall, the last name Johannes is still fairly common in German speaking countries, and can occasionally be found in other European countries. It is still a popular first name, and has generated many alternate versions of the last name.
Variations of the surname Johannes
The surname Johannes can be found with several different variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
The most common spellings are Johannes, Johannis, Johanness, Johannsen, and Johansson. It is also found in the anglicized forms Johnson, Johns or Jonson. The surname originates from the Hebrew name "Yochanan" which is derived from the word "Yochanan" meaning "God is gracious".
Some other variants of Johannes include Johan, Ioannes, Janais, Giannis, Ionas, Jahn, Jan, Yohann, Jon, and Jhon. In some parts of Germany and Austria the variants Yugoslavia and Wyoming can be found.
In France and Italy, the surname is sometimes spelled Giannais or Yohannes, while in Scotland, it is spelled Mc Johansoun. In Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay, it is sometimes spelled Ionan. In Holland, it is often the spelling Joannes.
In Eastern Europe, the common surname variations are Gavrilovic, Gavrilov, Gavrilo, Yovanovich, and Ivanov. In Jewish census records, the surname is often spelled Yohanan, Yohon, Yochanan, or Yochon.
The surnames Hanus, Hanae, and Handarus are all variations of the same surname derived from the Aramaic version of the Hebrew Yochanan.
In some cases, the surname has been shortened and further simplified; Jans and Annes are both common variations of Johannes.
Famous people with the name Johannes
- Taru Johannes: A modern artist from Finland, best known for her abstract works in both textile and mixed media.
- Kasimir Johannes Ahrenberg: A Finnish botanist who wrote numerous works on taxonomy and pollination.
- Matthew Johannes: A professional chef in the US who has been recognized for his captures of traditional southern flavors.
- Geert Johannes Petrus Vanhoutte: A successful Dutch economist who has written several books about economic theory and sustainability.
- Johannes Jacobus Miltenburg: A famous Dutch painter who is hailed as one of the most important artists of the 19th century.
- Johannes Dankert Hansen: A Danish physicist and mathematician who made important contributions in his field.
- Frédéric Johannes Walker: A Belgian sculptor whose work has been exhibited in Europe and is much esteemed for its realism.
- Johannes Wilhilmius: A Dutch composer and music theorist who made major contributions to the Baroque music style.
- Christiaan Johannes Johannesen: A Danish-Australian painter of landscapes and still life, whose works are held in important collections around the world.
- Andreas Johannes Albrecht: A German mathematician best known for his research in algebraic geometry.