Surname Johnigk - Meaning and Origin
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Johnigk: What does the surname Johnigk mean?
The last name Johnigk is of Germanic origin and is thought to originate in the small town of the same name located in the German state of North Rhine Westphalia. The meaning of the name is believed to be derived from the region’s old name Johanigk, which is derived from two elements: “Johan”, a variant of the name “Johannes”, meaning “God is gracious”; and “igk”, an old German word for “region” or “area."
The Johnigk surname is an occupational name, with its original bearers likely having been craftsmen or artisans associated with the town. This includes those who manufactured jewelry and other objets d’art, such as mirrors, ewers, and fountain pens which were popular during the early 19th and mid-20th centuries.
As for its prevalence, the Johnigk surname is shared among many Germanic countries, making it a rather common name to come across. There are also several members of the Johnigk family located in the United States today, making them one of the older Germanic families to settle in America.
Overall, the Johnigk last name is deeply intertwined with Germany’s complex, rich, and varied history. From artisans to those setting sail for new lands, the Johnigk name has been associated with a rich cultural history of movement, exploration, and creativity.
Order DNA origin analysisJohnigk: Where does the name Johnigk come from?
Johnigk is a fairly uncommon last name and is mostly found in some areas of Germany. It is estimated to be most common in the states of Bavaria, Hesse, and Rhineland-Palatinate, as well as parts of nearby countries such as France and Austria. At the present time, the surname Johnigk can also be found across the United States, especially in regions with large German immigrant populations such as Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
For the most part, Johnigks are of German descent. The name has origins in Old High German, and it likely meant either "honoured by God" or "divinely gracious". In some parts of Germany, the name has been corrupted to "Jungk" or "Youngk", but many members of the Johnigk family have kept the spelling—and the pride—alive.
Although the surname is not exactly common, the Johnigks have kept an active presence in German culture. In the 19th century, Johannes Johnigk wrote a collection of documented essays on German folklore and mythology and has been widely cited in academic works. In the early 2000s, the Johnigk Bergbahn Museum opened in the German town of Althardt, cementing the name's legacy further.
The Johnigk name is likely to remain uncommon, but its presence lives on through its members, as well as through its rich and varied cultural history.
Variations of the surname Johnigk
The surname Johnigk is a German-origin name. It is likely derived from the personal name Johann, which stands for John in English. It has a few variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin.
Variants: Johnigke, Johnige, Johannigk, Johannige
Spellings: Johnigk, Johannigk, Johannigke, Johannigke
Other surnames of the same origin: Johannes, Johannson, Johannsen, Johanson, Johanssen, Johanns, Johanning, Johannessen, Jannich, Jannicke, Jannigk, Jannigke, Jannike, Janning, and Janninger.
It may also be spelled in other countries: Johannes (in Netherlands), Johansky (in Czech Republic), Jachym (in Czech Republic), Jankovic (in Serbia), Jankowicz (in Poland), Ionovici/Ionescu (in Romania), Jiřík (in Czech Republic/Germany), Yonkov (in Bulgaria).
Johnigk is also found as a surname in Canada, with both German-speaking and English-speaking individuals having this as their last name. It is also found in Australia and the United States, with slight variations in its spelling.
The surname Johnigk is rare but it has a few variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin, indicating that it is a powerful family name which has been carried on from generation to generation.
Famous people with the name Johnigk
- Remo Johnigk: German television moderator, actor and Songwriter
- Julius Johnigk: German politician and member of the Bundestag
- Florian Johnigk: Austrian actor and producer
- Clarissa Johnigk: successful Austrian actress
- Olga Johnigk: German fashion designer
- Karly Johnigk: German journalist
- Luciana Johnigk: Brazilian artist and environmental activist
- Massimo Johnigk: Italian chef and restaurateur
- Kiana Johnigk: American singer, songwriter, and musician
- Janina Johnigk: German model and contestant on Germany’s Next Topmodel
- Helmut Johnigk: German composer and organist
- Henry Johnigk: German TV presenter and comedy actor
- Robert Johnigk: American biologist and scientist
- Mark Johnigk: American film producer
- Bobby Johnigk: American drummer and record producer
- Luana Johnigk: Greek actress and singer
- Mariana Johnigk: German singer-songwriter
- Anatoly Johnigk: Soviet WWII general and Hero of the Soviet Union
- Freddie Johnigk: American jazz saxophonist and flautist
- Luther Johnigk: American NBA player