Surname Johannsen - Meaning and Origin
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Unraveling the Past, Understanding Self: A Journey into Heritage Through DNA Analysis at iGENEA
Taking the iGENEA DNA test was more than a scientific endeavor; it was a journey into my past, a discovery of my roots through the lineage of the Johannsen name. What started as a simple DNA sample collection opened a vast array of historical revelations about my family name, and its journey from ancient Hebrew roots to a Nordic identity, casting new light on my understanding of self.
S. Johannsen
read moreJohannsen: What does the surname Johannsen mean?
Johannsen is a German surname, derived from the personal name Johannes. The name Johannes comes from the Greek name Ioannes, which means '‘Yahweh is gracious.’’ The origin of Johannsen is a combination of the Hebrew and Greek words, yahweh and annin (meaning gracious). The surname Johannsen is associated with a strong connection to the Christian faith.
The name Johannsen likely first appeared in Germany during the Middle Ages when Christianity spread throughout the country. The Johannsen surname was used to identify families and individuals who were believers in Christianity, particularly members of the Lutheran religious tradition. As Christianity spread throughout northern Europe, the Johannsen surname flourished as the faith became commonplace in Germany.
Today, Johannsen continues to be a common surname throughout Germany and the Scandinavian countries. Many of those with the Johannsen surname can trace their lineage back to the Middle Ages, when the name first appeared in Germany. People with the Johannsen surname still maintain strong connections to the German culture, language, and religion.
Order DNA origin analysisJohannsen: Where does the name Johannsen come from?
The last name Johannsen is quite common today, especially in Europe and North America. It is most prevalent in Germany, his birthplace, where more than 25,000 people bear the last name. It is also popular throughout Scandinavia, particularly Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Outside of Europe, the surname is generally quite rare, however it is present in some other parts of the world such as South Africa, Canada, Australia and the United States.
In the United States, the name is particularly concentrated in Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota and Illinois. Johannsen is often found as its oldest American variation, while there are plenty of alternate spellings such as Johansen, Johansson and Johnsen. In terms of frequency, Johannsen is the 54,874th most popular name in the USA and is most closely associated with people of German and Scandinavian descent.
Generally speaking, the Johannsen name is one with a storied and deep history, connecting generations across the world. It has deep European roots, a Scandinavian heritage, and today is popular throughout the United States and beyond.
Variations of the surname Johannsen
There are several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Johannsen.
Johansson is the most common, with Johannson being the second most common spelling. Johannsen is also found in Germany, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Russia, and other countries. It is derived from the personal name Johann, the German spelling of the name "John". Other variants of the surname include Johansen, Johanson, Johnston, Johnson, Jonsen, and Janssen.
In the United States and Canada, Johnson is the most common spelling of the Johannsen surname, followed by Johnston and Johanson. Johannsen is sometimes used as an immigrant spelling of Johnson, although this is becoming less common.
In some countries, it is possible to find variants of Johannsen such as Jansen, Janssen, Janse, and Janzen. The variants Jansz and Janszen are found in the Netherlands, and Jansson in Sweden and Norway.
Johannsen is also found as a compound surname, combining the surnames of both parents - a common practice in Germany. Examples of Johannsen compound surnames include Johannsen-Lanthe, Johannsen-Scharia, Johannsen-Schultz, Johannsen-Geffert, and Johannsen-Daum.
Overall, Johannsen is a popular surname of German origin, with many variations and spellings in multiple countries.
Famous people with the name Johannsen
- Scarlett Johansson: An American actor, model, and singer who has won numerous awards, including a Tony Award and a BAFTA Award.
- Astrid Lindgren: A Swedish writer of fiction and screenplays, best remembered for writing the Pippi Longstocking book series.
- Julius Johansson: A Finnish professional ice hockey player who currently plays for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League (NHL).
- Peter Johannsen: A Danish professional road cyclist who races for Danish Continental cycling team Riwal Readynez Cycling Team.
- Tommie Johannson: A former Finnish professional ice hockey player who played for Tampereen Ilves in the SM-liiga.
- Karl Johannson: A Swedish physicist and pioneer in the field of radio telemetry.
- Gustav Johannsen: A Danish local politician and former mayor of Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Joel Johannson: A Swedish actor and dancer best known for his roles in "Knock Out" and "Lili Marleen".
- Albin Johannsen: A Swedish former professional ice hockey player who played in the Swedish Elite League for Färjestads BK.
- Jesper Johannsen: A Danish Olympic rower, who won a bronze medal in the men's lightweight double sculls at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens.