Surname Jenisch - Meaning and Origin
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Jenisch: What does the surname Jenisch mean?
The origin and meaning of the surname Jenisch is very unclear since it is thought to be either of Germanic or Slavic origin. It could be derived from the German term "jenesch" which means "only", from the region "Jena" of Thuringia, or it could be of Slavic origin, from the name of the Austrian village "Gnensch".
The exact meaning of the surname Jenisch is unknown, although it is thought that it may have originated from an occupational name, referring to someone who came from the village of Jena or Gnensch in Austria. It is also possible that the name could have been derived from a personal or given name, with the suffix "isc" indicating that the individual came from a certain place.
Jenisch families have spread throughout the world, largely in areas with German influence such as the United States, Australia, and countries in Europe. In the US, the Jenisch surname is most common in New York and Pennsylvania.
Today, the Jenisch surname is still found in many countries and is especially common in Austria and Germany. In Austria it is the 53rd most common name, and has remained high in popularity for many years. Jenisch surname holders are diverse and active with many who are in the professional, scientific, and creative fields.
Order DNA origin analysisJenisch: Where does the name Jenisch come from?
The Jenisch surname is most common today in Germany and Austria, where it was likely derived from the old Germanic names Jentzsch, Janzsch, Janske, and Jantz. It is also found in small numbers in several other European countries, including the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Estonia. Most Jenisch families who emigrated to the United States settled in Pennsylvania and other Midwest states in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Within Germany, the Jenisch surname is more common in the states of Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg, and North-Rhine Westphalia, as well as in the southern region of Bavaria. This is perhaps due to emigration patterns in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when many Jenisch families left the northern areas to take advantage of better job prospects in southern Germany and Austria.
In the United States, the Jenisch family has become distributed throughout the country, all the way from New York in the east to California in the west. While Pennsylvania remains the most populous state for the family, there are also sizable numbers in the states of Massachusetts, New York, Michigan, California, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana.
In the 21st century, the Jenisch surname continues to be a fairly uncommon one, but is still found in many parts of the United States, Europe, and beyond.
Variations of the surname Jenisch
The surname Jenisch is derived from the Germanic given name Johannes, which means 'God is gracious'. Variants of this surname include Janisch, Janitsch, Jenesch, Jennish, Jienisch, Jenish, Jenesche, Jenes, Jannish, Jannisch, Janysche, Gianisch, Geanesch, Gjenikes, and Jenishah.
In some places, a modified form Jenicke or Jenike may also be found. This is most likely an altered version of Jenisch, modified to better fit the local dialect.
In some areas, the surname Jenisch may also be spelled Jeness. This is likely a result of the influence of English spelling conventions, as Jeness would be a phonetic spelling of Jenisch.
Similar surnames that originated from the same given name include Johnson, Johannsen, and Johannson. These surnames also have variations, such as Gibbson, Gibbenson, Gibbon, and Gibbens. Additionally, Johann is a common variant of Johannes, so Johanns, Johannsen, and Johannson might be alternate spellings for these surnames as well.
Famous people with the name Jenisch
- David Jenisch: Former professional basketball player from Germany and European Championship gold medalist in 1993.
- Paul-Henri Jenisch: Brigadier General Commander of the Luxembourg army from 2011-2016. 3.Karola Jenisch: German fashion model.
- Theodor Jenisch: German philanthropist, businessman, and philanthropist.
- Ruth Jenisch: Austrian poet and novelist.
- Wiliam Jenisch: Swiss artist and painter.
- Johann Heinrich Jenisch: Famous German neurologist.
- Christian Jenisch: Austrian composer, violinist and conductor.
- Adrienne Jenisch: American poet, writer and literary critic.
- Franz Jenisch: German chess master.
- John Jenisch: American politician and philanthropist.
- Peter Jenisch: Austrian musicologist, scholar and historian.
- Felix Jenisch: German sculptor.
- Louis Jenisch: Swiss-French architect.
- Wolf Jenisch: German figure skater and seven-time National Champion.
- Emil Jenisch: Austrian pianist and composer.
- Friedrich Jenisch: German theologian and Orientalist.
- Josephine Jenisch: Austrian pianist and composer.
- Johann Jacob Jenisch: German astronomer, mathematician, and clockmaker.
- Margaret Jenisch: American historian and author.