Surname Janovski - Meaning and Origin
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Janovski: What does the surname Janovski mean?
The last name Janovski is derived from the town of Janov, which is now located in the Czech Republic. The town of Janov was part of the former kingdom of Bohemia before it became part of the Czech Republic. It is assumed that the name Janovski is derived from the town of Janov and was given to individuals who once lived there.
The meaning of Janovski could have been derived from the old German words "gnaven," which means restlessness, and "skio," which means town. When combined, the two words form the German word "gnavskio," which means restless town. This could definitely describe Janov, as it has been through various political changes and wars since its founding in the 10th century. Over the centuries, the inhabitants of the town seemed to never have the chance to settle there for too long.
Given its history, it is possible that Janovski was given to identify people of Bohemian or Slovak origin who were directly related to Janov. Although it is difficult to determine for certain, it is possible that Janovski could also be related to the former Bohemian and Slovak word "jan," which means "good" or "peaceful," as well as the term "janev," which references the patron in Christianity.
Overall, the origin and meaning of the last name Janovski is elusive and difficult to determine definitively, given its distant history and the fact that much of Janov's past remains a mystery.
Order DNA origin analysisJanovski: Where does the name Janovski come from?
The last name Janovski is a common name in countries of Eastern Europe, especially in countries of the former Yugoslavia such as Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Macedonia. It is also found in various other Slavic countries such as Belarus and Ukraine, and in countries of East Central Europe.
In Slovenia, the last name Janovski is one of the top ten most common surnames. It is also common in Slovakia, where it is ranked among the top fifty. In Poland, Janovski is a common surname among the people of Nysa and Żywiec.
In the United States, Janovski is a relatively uncommon name, but it is still present in some of the larger immigrant communities in the country. There are pockets of Janovskis living in metropolitan Cleveland, Ohio, as well as in the West Coast cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco.
In Canada, Janovski is a relatively common name, especially in the cities of Toronto and Ottawa. It is most commonly found among people of Eastern European backgrounds in these areas.
Elsewhere in the world, Janovski is mostly found in countries of the British Commonwealth, especially in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, as well as in various Pacific Rim countries such as Canada, Singapore, Philippines, and Malaysia.
Variations of the surname Janovski
The surname Janovski is relatively widespread and can have different spellings and variants depending on the country or region of origin. Some of the most common variants are Janovsky, Janowski, Yanovsky, Yanovski, Janovský, Janowski, Janowsky, and Janovsky.
In some cases, the surname Janovski might be spelled as Jankowski or Jankevics. Other rare and less common spellings can include Yankovski, Yankovský, Iankovski, Iankovsky, Yanowich, and Jankowski, among others.
The origin of the surname dates back to early 17th century Poland and is thought to come from the name of a village located near the city of Poznan. Janovski was originally derived from the word for 'old man' which was 'yanovits' and 'jan,' a diminutive for John.
In some countries, Janovski might be transformed into diminutives such as Jans or Janiac. It is also known for families to change their last name to match the country's traditional spelling of the surname when they immigrate. Within Slavic cultures, this variant can be spelled as Janovskiy or Janovskii.
Aside from different spellings, Janovski might also be shortened to familiar surnames like Jan, Jano, or Janek. Similarly a longer version of the surname might be used in some countries, such as Janovska or Janovskaia.
Famous people with the name Janovski
- Danny Janovski: Former professional Australian Rules Footballer
- Yulian Janovski: football player from Bulgaria
- Jeffrey Janovski: Film Director
- Dennis Janovski: former Cuban-American professional basketball player
- Colin Janovski: Actor from USA
- Marianna Janovski: American author, blogger
- Vladislav Janovski: Macedonian football player
- Alex Janovski: American Helicopter Pilot
- Alex Janovski: Painter
- Mira Janovski: Sculptor and Painter from Macedonia