Surname Janowitz - Meaning and Origin

Janowitz: What does the surname Janowitz mean?

The last name Janowitz derived from the locale of Janowice, a place in Poland, now a part of the Czech Republic. The meaning of the name is likely derived from two Polish words, "Jano," which means "Gift of God" and "wic," meaning "village" or “settlement.”

Janowitz is a Jewish and Slavic surname. In all likelihood, Janowitz is a topographic name, a surname given to someone who lived in or near the Janowice area. It might also be a patronymic name, derived from the personal name of the bearer's father, Jano. In either case, it is likely that the Janowice area would have been hospitable to Jewish families, granting them the opportunity to settle there and farm the local area.

Throughout the centuries, the use of the name Janowitz increased amongst Jewish and Slavic populations. Since the mid-19th century, many with the last name Janowitz have migrated to the United States, especially to New York City and New Jersey. During this period, many of them were seamen or merchants, and it is likely that these travelers spread the surname further abroad.

Today, the surname Janowitz can be found scattered throughout Europe, the United States, Canada, and further afield. It is a strong reminder of the history of Europe and the movement of Jewish and Slavic populations over the centuries, and of the names and places that are a part of the recollections of their ancestors.

Janowitz: Where does the name Janowitz come from?

The surname Janowitz is a Slavic surname originating in countries located within Central and Eastern Europe. It is commonly found in countries such as Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Slovakia. Today, individuals with the last name Janowitz can also be found in countries around the world, such as Australia, Canada, United States, France, and United Kingdom.

Tracing the history of the Janowitz surname indicates it is derived from the personal name Jan, which is the Czech, Polish, Slovak, and Slovene form of John. Janowitz, therefore, typically means ‘son of Jan’ and was likely originally used to distinguish members of the same family in a specific locality.

Due to the Janowitz surname’s geographic origin, it is most commonly found in countries that belonged to the Former Austro-Hungarian Empire. Thus, its prevalence likely decreased with the fall of the empire following World War I and the dissolution of the former territories. Still, many families with the Janowitz surname moved to other parts of the world, such as Latin America, the United States, and larger cities of Europe, thus allowing for the spread of the surname.

In North America, the last name Janowitz is likely most commonly found in states with significant Jewish immigrant populations, such as New York, New Jersey, and Florida. Thus, individuals with the Janowitz surname today can have a few possible origins, including immigration from Central and Eastern Europe as well as Jewish communities from other regions of the world.

Variations of the surname Janowitz

Janowitz, Janovitz, Janowich, Janovics are the four main variants of the surnameJanowitz. It is an Ashkenazi Jewish occupational name, derived from Yiddish personal name Yan and - owitz, indicating son of Yan. Janowitz is also found in other languages, such as English, German, and Polish, as Janowitz, Janovitz, Janowich, Janovics, Janovick, Janovec, and Janovsky.

The Janowitz spelling is commonly found in Europe, especially in Poland and the United States. There, Janowitz is derived from the Polish and Ukrainian surnames Janowczyk and Janowicz, originally meaning "son of Jan (John)." In Germany, the variants Janowitz and Janowich also derive from Janowczyk, while Janovitz is an Anglicized version of the German surname Jannowitz.

In Yiddish, Janowitz is also found as a spelling variant of the Hebrew surnames Yannovitz and Yanowitz, meaning "son of Yannai/Yehonatan". This is an ancient biblical Jewish name, meaning "God has given" or "God has bestowed" (in reference to the gift of the Torah).

The surname Janowitz may also have been derived from the Ukrainian surname Janovitch which means literally "son of Iano or Ivo". The name Iano itself is derived from the Russian first name Ivan, which means "gift from God."

Finally, the surname may also have derived from other Slavic languages, such as Slovak, where Janovich is another form of Janowitz, as well as some Scandinavian languages, such as Icelandic, where Jensson is another form of the surname Janowitz.

Famous people with the name Janowitz

• 1.Monika Janowitz: Former German figure skater who became one of the most beloved competitors in the sport.
• Hoagy Carmichael Janowitz: US journalist and writer who wrote extensively on media-related topics such as press, print media, and television.
• Fran Janowitz: American sculptor whose work has been featured in various exhibitions throughout the United States.
• Dave Janowitz: American film producer and director who has produced and directed many films, including the 2009 thriller "The Stepfather."
• Toby Janowitz: Author of two critically acclaimed short story collections and one novel, and has been nominated for numerous awards.
• Stephen Janowitz: Currently serving as the Chief of the Central Intensivist at Cleveland Clinic, as well as a professor of hospital and clinical medicine at Case Western Reserve University.
• Georgette Janowitz: American actor and artist best known for her leading role in the 1967 comedy film, "The Graduate."
• Hugo Janowitz: Austrian-American pianist, conductor and composer who had a long career in classical music.
• Ferdinand Janowitz: Austrian tenor whose stunning vocal performances have been praised by audiences and critics alike.
• Paul Janowitz: German-born American violinist and composer, who was active in the classical music field of the 20th century.

Other surnames

JanowiczJanowitsch