Surname Jellonek - Meaning and Origin
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Jellonek: What does the surname Jellonek mean?
The surname Jellonek is of German origin, derived from the word “jellen”, meaning “to hunt” or “to snare”. This suggests that individuals with the surname Jellonek were originally hunters or trappers by profession. It is believed that the name originated as an occupational name among German laborers in medieval times.
The first record of the Jellonek name dates back to 1170, when one Henricus Jellonek is mentioned in the royal registry of the monastery of Einsiedeln in Switzerland. He was identified as an acolyte there, which adds to the conjecture that the name was a professional-based occupational name; acolytes were often employed to hunt or trap animals in and around monasteries.
The Jellonek name, or its many variations such as Jallonek or Jellnik, spread from Switzerland to Germany and other parts of Europe during the period of emigration in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, the name is found in parts of Germany, the Czech Republic and Austria, as well as in former nation-states such as Poland and Hungary.
All in all, the last name Jellonek is a reminder of a distant past, when those with the name engaged in hunting and trapping to make a living. Although the profession no longer exists, the name lives on as a memento of a bygone era.
Order DNA origin analysisJellonek: Where does the name Jellonek come from?
The last name Jellonek is most common in the European countries of Austria and Germany. It is of German origin and derives from the Old High German word “jelen” or “jail” which means “roe deer.” Jelloneks trace back to the Westphalia region of Germany and are also found in Poland. In Austria, Jelloneks are found in Upper Austria, Tyrol, and the Vorarlberg region. In Germany, Jelloneks are mainly found in Baden-Wurttemberg, Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Rhineland-Palatinate.
Today, the Jellonek name is scattered across Europe, as well as in the US, Canada, Australia, and South Africa. In the US, individuals with the Jellonek surname are mainly found in Louisiana, Wisconsin, Texas, and New York. Most of these individuals and families can trace their roots back to Germany or Austria.
Jelloneks today are mainly involved in different types of agriculture, including cattle, vegetables, and fruits. In German-speaking countries, the Jellonek family also has historically been associated with beer brewing, butchering, and carpentry, though today many Jelloneks work in various professions across numerous industries.
Variations of the surname Jellonek
The variations of the surname Jellonek include Jelonek, Jelonka, Yelonek, Gelonek, Jellinek, and Jeleneck. These variations can likely be found in Europe and the United States, where many immigrants from Poland, Ukraine and other countries settled.
Jellonek is a Polish surname derived from the word "jelonek," which means "little deer." The surname likely originated from the profession of deer hunting, a sport that was popular in Poland during the Middle Ages. It became a patronymic surname, which is a type of surname derived from a father's given name, and it eventually evolved into a hereditary surname.
In England and Wales, the spelling of the surname often changed over time. For example, the spelling Jelinek and Jelenek are both derived from the original form Jellonek. These variants typically occur when an original spelling has been Anglicized by an immigration record-keeper in order to facilitate the pronunciation of the name for English speakers.
In the United States, many immigrants from Poland and other countries adopted the Anglicized version of the name, changing the " Je " to " Ye ", such as Yelonek. Other variants such as Gelonek can be found in the United States as well.
No matter how it's spelled or pronounced, the Jellonek surname is linked to an old Polish profession and has been passed down through generations.
Famous people with the name Jellonek
- Ulrike Jellonek, German politician
- Laura Jellonek, U.S. voice teacher
- Jeff Jellonek, American photographer
- Patrick Jellonek, award-winning film and television director
- Karl Jellonek, Austrian-Slovenian musician
- Shalini Jellonek, Flemish actress
- Kris Jellonek, Canadian industrial and graphic designer
- Lori Jellonek, Australian art critic
- Jakub Jellonek, Polish footballer
- Jim Jellonek, American songwriter and musician