Surname Jenßen - Meaning and Origin
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Jenßen: What does the surname Jenßen mean?
The last name Jenßen is of German descent and is derived from the personal name Jens, which is a variant of the name Johannes, meaning "Gift of God". The Jenßen surname is a patronymic name meaning "son of Jens".
It is common for people with the Jenßen last name to come from Germany and northern Europe, especially the Netherlands, Denmark and Norway. Historically, the name's first recorded spelling appears to have been in the 13th century in Segeberg, Germany; however, its varied spelling may have been born out of early immigration and transcribed by church or government clerks.
The Jenßen surname often appears in records from Germany, the Netherlands and Denmark, especially with its variant spellings Jensen, Junßen, Junsen and Jansen. It is likely that many people with the Jenßen surname have migrated to the United States and Canada during the 19th and 20th centuries, since that time was marked by an extensive wave of immigration from Europe.
The Jenßen surname is associated with industriousness and achievement, due to its representation in historical records from so many regions across Europe. It symbolizes a link to the past and appreciation for the rich cultural and ancestral history of Germany and northern Europe.
Order DNA origin analysisJenßen: Where does the name Jenßen come from?
The last name Jenßen is most commonly found in Germany today. More specifically, its popularity is concentrated mainly in areas of northern Germany, including areas such as Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg, and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
The surname is most likely derived from the German word 'jen(z)', which is a shortened form of the given name Johann. Historically, the name would have meant “son of Johann”, similar to the English interpretation of the name Johnson. This also means that it's likely the surname was adopted fairly widely throughout the country, so it's not surprising that it's still a common name today.
Jenßen can be specialised slightly, with ending variants such as 'Jenzen' being common in certain areas, although these are very minor regional differences.
Overall, it's likely that there are tens of thousands of people living in Germany today who bear the Jenßen surname, with most of them living in the country's north.
Variations of the surname Jenßen
The surname Jenßen has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Janssen, Jenssen, Jense, Jenson, and Jens. These variants can be attributed to a process called “surname shifting.” Surname shifting is the gradual evolution of surnames as they pass from one generation to the next. This evolution often involves spelling changes, as unfamiliar speakers sometimes misinterpret the original spelling. It is also possible for usernames to become indistinguishable from each other through phonetic shifts.
Janssen is the most common variant of the surname Jenßen. This variant can be traced back to the Middle Low German terms “Jansen” or “Janßen,” both of which mean “son of Jan.” In other words, Janssen is a patronymic surname of Dutch origin, meaning it is derived from the name of its original bearer’s father.
Jenssen is another variant of the surname Jenßen, which is derived directly from the Middle Low German term “Jens,” or “Jencke,” meaning “son of Jen.” This surname could also be a derivative of the Scandinavian deity Jens, who is associated with storm and rain.
Jense is another variant of the surname Jenßen. It is derived from the Middle Low German term “Jentze” or “Jentzgen,” which is derived from “Jan” or “Jehannes,” meaning “God is gracious.” This variant could also be derived from the German dialect term “Jons” meaning “Yon” or “John.”
Jenson is a variant of the surname Jenßen, ultimately derived from the original Latin form “Johannes.” This variant can also be spelled as Janssen or Jans.
Finally, Jens is the least common variant of the surname Jenßen. It is derived from the Middle Low German term “Jans,” which is a variation of the given name Jaen or Jahon. This variant can also be spelled as Janssen, Jancs, and Janzen.
Famous people with the name Jenßen
- Allan Jenßen: a Danish-German actor and former professional football player best known for his role as detective in Forbrydelsen (The Killing).
- Klaus Overgaard Jenßen: a Danish film director and screenwriter. Known for his work on A Love to Hide, Mouth to Mouth, and Code Name: Coq Rouge.
- Jens Elbro Jenßen: Danish high-jump athlete and officer in the Royal Danish Army.
- Anders Jenßen: Danish actor and TV-host known for his work as a VJ on other MTV shows such as Celebrity Death Match and The Tom Green Show.
- Børge Jenßen: a Danish pilot and former Olympic skier. He participated in the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, USA.
- Halvor Jenßen: a Norwegian former professional football player who played in the Norwegian Premier League for the club Viking FK.
- Viktor Jenßen: a Norwegian-German professional boxer who competed from 1927 to 1937.
- Victor Jenßen: a Norwegian former professional football player with over 150 club appearances in the Norwegian top two divisions.
- Jørgen Jenßen: a Norwegian former professional football player with over 100 club appearances in the Norwegian top two divisions.
- Jan Helen Jenßen: a Norwegian operatic tenor and opera singer who achieved international fame for his work in the world's most important opera houses.