Surname Jansohn - Meaning and Origin

Jansohn: What does the surname Jansohn mean?

The last name Jansohn is of Germanic origin and it combines the given name “Jan” with “sohn”, meaning “son” in German. It is also found in the Netherlands and Scandinavia. The name is typically found in records from the Middle Ages and is composed of two elements - Jan, which is derived from the Hebrew name “Yohanan”, meaning “God is gracious”; and “sohn”, meaning “son” in German. The name essentially translates to “God’s gracious son” and is an indication of the religious background of the first bearers of the name.

While Jansohn has historically been a surname reflecting religious affiliations, it is now valued as a meaningful part of one’s identity. Since its first appearance, the name has evolved and today it includes numerous spellings, such as Janssen, Johannsen, Janssens, and Hansson. The variations are likely the result of spelling mistakes in old records or changes based on local customs. No matter the spelling, Jansohn is a name steeped in heritage and carries with it a story of resilience and legacy.

Jansohn: Where does the name Jansohn come from?

The last name Jansohn is most commonly associated with Germany, where it is still prevalent. Numerous variants of the Jansohn surname exist, such as Janschon, Jansen, Janson, Jans, and Janssens. Family-name data reveals that, at present, the greatest concentration of Jansohns is found in the Northeastern German states of Schleswig-Holstein, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and Hamburg.

However, the Jansohn surname can also be found in areas around Europe, such as the Netherlands, France, Denmark, and Sweden, as well as throughout the United States and Canada. This indicates that Jansohns have been migrating out of Germany since at least the second half of the 19th century.

Although the origins of the family name are hotly debated, it is generally accepted as being of Germanic origin. Records suggest that the first Jansohn to appear in Germany was Lambert Jansohn, who lived in Wörth am Rhein in 1685.

By the end of the 18th century, members of the Jansohn family had spread throughout Europe and beyond. In modern times, Jansohn family descendants can be found in growing numbers in countries all around the world.

Variations of the surname Jansohn

The surname Jansohn is believed to be of German and Dutch origin, with variants such as Janson, Jenson and Janssen. In German, the surname is derived from the combination of "Johannes" or "Jon" for John, and "sohn" meaning son. It is believed that this surname was popular amongst Dutchmen and Germans due to the popularity of the Biblical name John throughout the Middle Ages.

Variant spellings of Jansohn include Janzon, Janzsen, Jondsen, Johanns, Johannessen, Johannssohn, Jansohnnen, Jonsen, Jonson, and Jonsohn, as well as others. Some alternative surnames of similar origin include Jansen, Johannsen, Johansson, and Johannesen.

It is also possible that the surname Jansohn is derived from a Dutch word ‘Jan’ meaning ‘John‘ and ‘zoon’ meaning ‘son’. This suggests that the name could be of both Dutch and German origin and could also be found in other countries within Europe including the Netherlands, Denmark, and Sweden, providing another source for variants of the surname.

It is worth considering the local dialects for which Jansohn is particularly common. In the Netherlands, the surname could be spelt Janse or Jansz, and in German-speaking countries it is common to see it spelt Jansohn or Johann.

Overall, the variants of the surname Jansohn are numerous, and it is not always easy to distinguish between them. Nevertheless, they all share the same origin, and so it could be argued that they all signify the presence of a John in the family's ancestral line.

Famous people with the name Jansohn

• Natascha Jansohn, German pop singer and songwriter
• Dr. Marcus Jansohn, German historian and political scientist
• Harald Jansohn, German football player
• Hans Jansohn, German business administrator and founder of the BMW company
• Fatima Jansohn, German actress and author
• Gretel Jansohn, German long-distance runner and 2016 Olympic competitor
• Marcel Jansohn, American-German philosophical and music psychologist
• Leonie Jansohn, German-American cinematographer and film director
• Hugo Jansohn, German physicist and engineer
• Ursula Jansohn, German classical violinist and violin professor

Other surnames

JansonJansoniusJansons