Surname Jasaitis - Meaning and Origin
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Jasaitis: What does the surname Jasaitis mean?
The last name Jasaitis is one of Lithuanian origin. This name is derived from the name Jasiūnas, a male personal name derived from the Lithuanian word jasas, meaning “pacer, runner”. The suffix -aitis is a patronymic meaning “son of”. As such, the surname is essentially the son of Jasiūnas, or the descendant of Jasiūnas.
The surname is most commonly found in Lithuania, and is particularly popular in the western regions. It is estimated that there are about 2,000 bearers of the name in Lithuania at present. There is also a very small population of the name bearers abroad, mainly as a result of migration.
The name Jasaitis is symbolic of the Lithuanian past, as many members of the family are descended from Lithuanian nobility. It was once recorded that a man of the name Ignas Jasaitis served as a chancellor in the court of the Lithuanian King Vytautas in around the year 1400.
Traditionally, the Jasaitis family has been prominent in Lithuania’s military. In fact, during the Lithuanian independence movement of the twentieth century, several members of the Jasaitis family actively fought in the movement. The name, therefore, is strongly linked to notions of courage, bravery and strength.
Overall, the name Jasaitis is deeply intertwined with Lithuania’s history and culture. It carries centuries of symbolism and is attributed to notions of bravery, courage, loyalty, strength and honour.
Order DNA origin analysisJasaitis: Where does the name Jasaitis come from?
The last name Jasaitis is mainly associated with Lithuania and other Baltic countries. Specifically, it is most common in Lithuania where there are currently over 2,300 individuals with the last name recorded. It is also found in Latvia and Estonia, although in much smaller numbers.
Historically, the Jasaitis last name likely originated from the Lithuanian word “jasas” which means bush or tree. The name could have been used to describe a person from an area where there were a lot of bushes, or it could refer to someone working in forestry in some way. Alternatively, it could have been derived from the word “Jasaitiškis,” which was a family name from the Suvalkija area in Lithuania.
The last name Jasaitis may also appear in other parts of Europe (especially certain parts of Poland and Belarus previously within the boundaries of the Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth), as well as other parts of the world including the USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand as a result of Lithuanian emigration during the 20th century.
Overall, the last name Jasaitis is most commonly associated with Lithuania and the other Baltic Countries.
Variations of the surname Jasaitis
The surname Jasaitis is an ancient Lithuanian name derived from the Latin word “Jasitas” which meant “from the east.” It is a patronymic name meaning “son of Iasas” Iasas being the original founder of the surname. It is also a variant of Yasaitis. Common spellings and surnames of the same origin include:
Jasaitiene, Jasaitis, Jasaitienė, Jasaityte
Yasaitis, Yasaitienė, Yaşaitis, Jasaitė
Josaitis, Josaitiené, Iosaitiene, Josaitienė
Iasaitis, Iasaityte, Iasaitys, Iasaitienė
Įsaitys, Yosaitis, Įsaitė, Yosaitienė
The surname Jasaitis is also found outside of Lithuania and is used in Belarus, Lithuania, Ukraine, Russia, and the United States. In Belarus, the variants Yosaitis and Yosaytis are also used. In Lithuania, the variants Josaitis, Iosaitis, and Iasaitis are most commonly used, while in Ukraine and Russia, variants such as Jasaitys, Yosaytis, and Įsaitys are more popular.
The surname is found mainly in Lithuania and Belarus, due to the original founder of this surname having come from Lithuania or Belarus. However, it is spreading quickly throughout other countries as well, as those who bear the name, move around the world. It is also common to find some spelling variations to the primary variant, such as the accent mark used in Ukraine and Russia.
Famous people with the name Jasaitis
- Micheal Jasaitis: Micheal Jasaitis is a professional American softball player who has competed for the USA National team, winning a medal at the ISF Softball World Championship in the Netherlands in 1984.
- Mindaugas Jasaitis: Mindaugas Jasaitis was a professional Lithuanian basketball player. He represented his country in international competitions like Olympics and World championships. He was part of the team that won bronze at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney.
- Donatas Jasaitis: Donatas Jasaitis is a Lithuanian political scientist with an expertise in energy, sustainable development, innovation and environment. He held the post of Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Government of the Republic of Lithuania and is currently an adviser to the Government of Lithuania's Prime Minister.
- Augustinas Jasaitis: Augustus Jasaitis is a Lithuanian sociolinguist and the head of the Institute of the Lithuanian Language in Vilnius. He has a number of publications on Lithuanian linguistics, sociolinguistics, and language history.
- Praneet Jasaitis: Praneet Jasaitis is a designer from London. After getting his degree in architecture from the Architectural Association in London he has gone on to freelance for a number of architectural design firms.
- Nick Jasaitis: Nick Jasaitis is an American actor. He is best known for his role as Mike, the best friend of the main character, in the popular NBC sitcom “Friends” and for playing the recurring character Gordon Stansfield on “Alias”.