Surname Jenwein - Meaning and Origin
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Jenwein: What does the surname Jenwein mean?
The last name Jenwein is believed to have originated in the early 14th or 15th century Germany. It is thought to be a variant of the more commonly known Jewish last name Jenov or Ginov, which mean "son of Gev", Gev being a shortened version of the Hebrew name Gevurah that translates to "power". It is likely that Jenwein began as a local version of this name when Jewish people in Germany started to adopt last names.
The first recorded use of Jenwein was in the German city of Hannover in the year 1430 where a man named Michel Ginove is recorded as being in attendance at a banquet with local nobility. From that point, it is known to have also been used in the city of Weissenfels in 1526, as well as in Berlin in 1540.
Since then, it is thought that the name has spread to other areas of Europe and Israel, though the spellings may have changed slightly from region to region.
Today, the name Jenwein is likely to refer to an individual of Jewish descent. It could serve as a reminder of one's heritage, symbolizing strength and power, which could also be taken as a sign of hope and motivation. Its German origins also make it a unique surname to have, and one that stands out.
Order DNA origin analysisJenwein: Where does the name Jenwein come from?
The last name Jenwein is not a very common name today and is mostly found in Germany. It is thought to have originated in the German region formerly known as Bavaria and is an early variant of the Jewish name Wein. It is believed to have been adopted by German Jews who were travelling or living in Bavaria, particularly in the 15th and 16th centuries.
Today, those with the last name Jenwein are mostly descended from Jewish ancestors, but the name is also found amongst some German Christian populations. The name is mainly concentrated in the south and west of Germany, especially in Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and Hesse. It is also found in Austria and Poland, as well as many other countries around the world.
In recent years, the popularity of the last name Jenwein has declined somewhat in Germany. According to records from the late 19th century, it was the 152nd most common surname in the country, but has since dropped out of the top 250. As of 2020, it is not a particularly common name but is still frequently found in parts of Germany, as well as a scattering of other countries around the world.
Variations of the surname Jenwein
The surname Jenwein has many variants, spellings, and associated surnames of the same origin. Some examples are Jenwain, Jewin, Jenwayn, Genwein, Genwayne, Gendwine, Gendwyn, Gendwine, Gienwien, Genwin, Junkin, Jwin, Jenweyne, Gambin, and Gemberlin.
Jenwein originated in Switzerland, Germany, and Austria, and is derived from the German and Swiss surname Jankenwinkel, which is a combination of the German words “janken” meaning to fight, and “winkel” meaning corner. The variants of Jenwein show influences from the local languages including French, Dutch, and German.
The most common variants of Jenwein are Jenwain and Jewin, which are both pronounced similarly to the original surname and originated from Germany. Jenwain is the most common variant found in the German language and is thought to have originated as a nickname for someone who often fought or argued. Jewin was also derived from Jenwain but with an added ‘e’ to indicate the French origin of the surname.
Jenwayn is another variant found in Germany, and it is derived from the old German phrase “jenewine” which means “from the new wine.” The German variant Genwein is derived from the old German phrase “ganwein” which means “from the old wine.” Gendwine, Gendwyn, Gendwine, and Gienwien are related to Jenwein, and they are all derived from the old German phrase “gendwein” which means “from the good wine.”
In Austria, Jenwein is spelled as “Jenweyne” and is thought to be a variation of Jenwain. Gambin and Gemberlin are two variants derived from the Austrian German phrase “gemerlin” which is a conjunction of the words gem, meaning “twist” and marl, meaning dispute or quarrel. Junkin and Jwin are also variants, the former likely originating from the old German “gankewinkel” and the latter from the old German “jawinkel.”
Famous people with the name Jenwein
- Rebekah Jenwein: Rebekah is a British journalist and former editor of the fashion magazine Love. She has since been appointed the content editor of glossy magazine NME, one of the top music publications in the UK.
- Gary Jenwein: Gary Jenwein is an American actor who has appeared in numerous television and film roles, including roles in the movies such as National Lampoon's Vacation, Rain Man, and Batman Forever.
- Jonathan Jenwein: Jonathan Jenwein is a three-time Olympic medalist, a gold, silver, and bronze winner on the United States’ gymnastics team.
- Hunter Jenwein: Hunter Jenwein is a retired Major League Baseball player, formerly of the Cincinnati Reds.
- Angelique Jenwein: Angelique Jenwein is a professional French slalom skier. She has been competing since the 2003-04 season and has competed in numerous Winter Olympic Games.
- Ryan Jenwein: Ryan Jenwein is a professional curler from Canada. He is a two-time Canadian champion and World Team champion, as well two-time Olympic bronze medalist.
- Jan Jenwein: Jan Jenwein is a German football player, currently playing for FC Ingolstadt 04. He is a defensive midfielder.
- Kenneth Jenwein: Kenneth Jenwein is an American biologist and researcher, focusing on the development of genetically modified organisms. He has published several books, including Genetically Modified Organisms and Agricultural Biotechnology.
- Marga Jenwein: Marga Jenwein is a professional Austrian high jumper, and a one-time European junior champion in the sport.
- John Jenwein: John Jenwein is an American theologian and professor, best known for his work on the historical Jesus. He is the author of The Historical Jesus: A New Look at His Life and Teachings, which was published in 2013.