Surname Jankovski - Meaning and Origin

Jankovski: What does the surname Jankovski mean?

The last name Jankovski is of Slavic origin and originated in what is now the country of Serbia. The exact origin of the name is unknown but there is evidence to suggest it could be derived from the biblical name Janco, meaning ‘God is gracious’. Jankovski is also a patronymic surname, which is one formed from the name of the father or ancestor of the bearer. This family name is believed to have been commonly used to indicate a person descended from a certain Jan or John.

The Jankovski surname is particularly common among the Serb population, however it can also be found in neighbouring countries such as Croatia, Bosnia, and Montenegro. In fact, it ranked in the top 100 most popular surnames in Croatia in 2020, and it is also particularly common in Germany, due to the migration of Croatian and Serbian immigrants in the twentieth century.

This family name is also believed to be associated with nobility, as many families with this surname have noble backgrounds. It is likely that during the great migration in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, some of the families carrying this surname were part of the aristocracy or upper classes in Serbia or surrounding countries.

Overall, the origin of the Jankovski surname is largely a mystery. It is thought to have evolved from a biblical name and is associated with nobility, though the exact circumstances of its origin remain unclear.

Jankovski: Where does the name Jankovski come from?

The last name Jankovski is most commonly found today in countries of Eastern Europe, especially Serbia and Bulgaria. It is sometimes seen in Croatia, Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina as well. The name has an Indo-European origin with its roots in the ancient Slavic language. It could have originally meant several things including kitchen, tool, construction or village.

The name is most prevalent today in Serbia, where it is the 399th most common surname. This may be due to Serbian immigration to other Eastern European countries in recent centuries. Many families with this name have had to seek a new home after going through various wars or experiencing religious or political persecution.

In Bulgaria, Jankovski is the 518th most popular surname and also found in Macedonia where it is the 983rd most common name. It is also sometimes seen in Australia, New Zealand, United States and Canada, as well as other nations. In the US the name is most concentrated in Illinois, New York and California.

In Russia, the name Jankov has become fused with the suffix -ski. In Ukraine, the name is often seen as Yanokivskyi, as in the prestigious Valery Yanokivskyi University of Kiev.

Although it is not one of the most common surnames today, the last name Jankovski is quite spread throughout the world and remains strong in its roots in Eastern Europe.

Variations of the surname Jankovski

Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Jankovski include Jankowski, Janikovski, Janikowski, Jankovitz, Jankovitzky, Jankoff, Jankov, Janko, Jankunas, Yankovsky, Yankovski, Yankowski, and Yankus.

Jankovski is a Polish surname derived from the biblical personal name Jan (John). It emerged from the eastern parts of Poland, Lithuania, Belarus, and Ukraine between the 17th and 19th centuries. This surname is most common in those areas, though it is now also fairly common among Polish Americans, belonging to families who emigrated from the area to the United States.

Jankovski can also be used as a patronymic surname, meaning that it derives from a personal name, usually that of the father. For example, if your father’s name was Jan, your family name might become Janikovski, or if your father was named Josef, your family name might become Yokovski.

Most variants of Jankovski are based on the same root, combining the Slavic Janko elements and the suffix -owski, meaning “son of”. Other variants such as Jankowski are derived as a patronymic from the personal name Janko itself. This name is very popular in Ukraine, Poland, and Belarus, and its spellings can vary slightly from region to region.

Most variants and spellings of Jankovski are considered distinct surnames with their own origin and unique cultural meaning. As such, each variant has its own unique connotation and symbols that are associated with it. It is recommended that the research for one’s own surname is done thoroughly to ensure the accuracy of the family lineage.

Famous people with the name Jankovski

• Mladen Jankovski: a former Macedonian footballer who played for several clubs during his career, including the Yugoslav, Red Star Belgrade, Real Betis, and Spanish sides; he was named the best Macedonian football player ever in 2014.
• Adnan Jankovski: a Bosnian actor who has appeared in a number of films and television series, including the international feature film, Saturday Sunday Monday.
• Danilo Jankovski: a Serbian athlete and former World Champion in the decathlon, who set five world records, was crowned European champion twice and won silver and bronze medals at the Olympic Games in 1988 and 1992.
• Saso Jankovski: a Macedonian President of the European Athletics Association.
• Uroš Jankovski: a Serbian footballer who currently plays for Italian Serie A side Fiorentina.
• Robert Jankovski: a Macedonian boxer who won the silver medal at the 2002 European Amateur Championships in Finland.
• Aleksandar Jankovski: a Slovenian basketball coach who was the head coach of the Slovenian national team from 2012 to 2015.
• Slobodan Jankovski: a Serbian singer-songwriter, poet and singer who has released three full-length albums to critical acclaim.
• Zoran Jankovski: a famous Serbian basketball player who played in the NBA for the Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns.
• Marko Jankovski: a Macedonian National Soccer team midfielder who played for FK Sileks Kratovo.

Other surnames

JankovskisJankovsky