Surname Johäntges - Meaning and Origin
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Johäntges: What does the surname Johäntges mean?
The last name Johäntges is a German surname derived from two different German words. The first part of the name, ‘Johann’, comes from the Germanic name element 'Johannes' which translates in English to 'John'. The suffix '-ges’, meanwhile, comes from the Old High German word 'gisi' or 'gesi' which means 'hostage'. This family name translates from German to English as 'Johann’s hostage'.
Historically, surnames such as Johäntges were given to individuals who held a specific role in a feudal state. Throughout Europe during medieval times, monarchs and noblemen would take prisoners of war or hostages and bond them to their court in exchange for goods or money. The bondservants were then given a new family name which reflected the person to whom they were hostages.
Today, Johäntges is a relatively uncommon last name in Germany and has spread throughout other countries as a result of increased immigration. It is an interesting and unique name which reflects a somewhat grim chapter of Moorish and western European history.
Order DNA origin analysisJohäntges: Where does the name Johäntges come from?
The last name Johäntges is originally of German origin and was likely first used by a person who was a descendant of the extended Jähns family. Today, the last name is now found predominantly in Germany and in German-speaking countries, such as Switzerland, Austria, and Liechtenstein. Due to German emigration that began in the 19th century, it has also spread to countries such as the United States, Canada, and parts of South America, as well as areas influenced by German culture, such as Kazakhstan.
Within Germany itself, the last name Johäntges is heavily concentrated in western regions, such as North Rhine-Westphalia and Schleswig-Holstein. To an extent, it is also found in the northern state of Hamburg and in southern regions, such as Bavaria, Saxony, and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
To conclude, while the last name Johäntges is rare, it has a distinctly German origin and appears to have spread globally with German emigration, particularly to North and South America. Its frequency today is largely confined to Germany and areas of Europe, as well as those places that have been heavily influenced by German culture.
Variations of the surname Johäntges
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Johäntges are as follows:
• Johannings / Joohens, Johans, Johannes, Johansson, Jahn, Jahnke.
• Johnings, Johnson, Johnsson, Jhonsen, Johnsen, Juntge.
• Jontges, Jontz, Jants, Juntges, Jantz(e), Jansen, Janzen.
• Jantz, Jant, Jakob, Jacob, Jacobs, Jacobsen, Jacobi.
• Jonaes, Jongs, Jonge, Jongere, Jōnggeärz, Janyes.
• Jhennes, Jhannes, Janns, Janst, Jantsch, Jentges.
• Ianus / Yanus / Yanus, Yohans / Yohanssen, Yohunts, Yohaulus.
• Hannes, Hanes, Hanness, Häntges, Hantz, Hants.
• Jehans, Jehanssen, Jehants, Jennes, Jentgens, Jentgeson.
• Yoans, Yoons, Yoontz, Yountz, Yontz, Yonts, Yontsen.
• Joanes, Johanes, Johanesen, Johanneson, Johantges, Johengs.
• Johengsley, Johanglais, Joham, Joangley, Joape, Joas.
The surnames Johäntges and its variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin are most prevalent across Germany and parts of germanophone Europe. However, some of these variations and surnames can also be found in parts of England and other northern European countries due to historical migrations.
Famous people with the name Johäntges
- Andreas Johäntges: German footballer
- Wilhelm Johäntges: violinist and composer
- Uwe Johäntges: German footballer and manager
- Bernd Johäntges: German music producer
- Jürgen Johäntges: German cyclist
- Henning Johäntges: German politician
- Harro Johäntges: German politician
- Bernhard Johäntges: German footballer
- Ernst-Günter Johäntges: German composer
- Adalbert Johäntges: German bishop