Surname Johren - Meaning and Origin

Johren: What does the surname Johren mean?

The last name Johren is of Germanic origin, and is derived from the elements ‘joh’ and 'ren'. 'Joh' is derived from the Germanic element 'haga', which refers to a particular type of enclosed forest or wooded area, and 'ren' is a Germanic element meaning 'ruler, mighty or strong'.

Historically, it is likely that the first Johren surnames refer to someone who held a position of authority in or around such a forest. For example, a 'Hagueren' could have been an official responsible for the upkeep and governance of such a forest.

Over time, variations in spelling of the name occurred, and it eventually became ‘Johren’. Individuals bearing this surname have historically been found living predominately in northern Germany, particularly in the regions of Hanover, Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein.

In more modern times, people with the last name Johren have become established as respected members of German society, such as the highly regarded musician and composer, Paul Johren (1887-1971), who was noted for his active involvement in the creation of the Genninger Assembly in his hometown of Genningen.

Today, the surname Johren is still a prevalent fixture in various parts of northern Germany, as well as some parts of the United States and Canada, amongst other countries.

Johren: Where does the name Johren come from?

The last name Johren is most commonly found today in the United States, Canada, Germany, Norway, and Sweden. It is believed to have originated from Sweden and migrated with immigrants to these countries in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

In the United States, the name is most common in the northern Midwest states, with the greatest numbers of people with this last name residing in Minnesota and Wisconsin. It occurs less frequently in the other Midwestern states, but is still found in Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, and North Dakota. It also occurs in the southeastern states, where it is most commonly found in Alabama.

In Canada, Johren is most commonly found in Ontario and British Columbia. In Alberta and Quebec, the name is seen less frequently, although there are still a few people with the name in those regions. It is also found in the Maritime provinces, but is much rarer there.

In Germany, where the name is still spelled Johren, its usage is highest in the northern regions. It's also found throughout central Germany, in cities such as Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg. In Norway and Sweden, the name is still fairly common and is primarily clustered around the largest cities, such as Oslo in Norway and Stockholm in Sweden.

Variations of the surname Johren

Johren is a surname derived from the Germanic name Johan, which was derived from the Hebrew name Yehohanan, meaning "God is gracious". This surname can be found spelled in various ways, including Johan, Johon, Johann, and Juhren.

The more common variants of Johren include Johann, Johan, Jonsen, and Jehren. These variants are most often seen in various parts of Germany, such as Bavaria and Prussia.

The spelling Jonsen can be found in both English and Scandinavian countries, such as Denmark or Norway. This variant is thought to have originated as a distortion or Anglicization of the traditional spelling Johann.

Jehren is an alternative spelling which can be occasionally seen in Germany, and is likely to be derived from a Germanic form of the name.

Other less commonly seen variants include Johorn, Joerin, and Joryn. While these variants are rarely used, they are thought to originate from the Germanic form of the name.

Overall, although there are various variants of the name, Johren remains the most common spelling. This surname is associated with people of Germanic origins, and can be found in many different countries across Europe.

Famous people with the name Johren

• Eugen Johren (German historian of philosophy)
• Christopher Johren (American athlete and entrepreneur)
• Jacob Johren (Swedish comedy writer and director)
• Penelope Johren (English model and actress)
• Alexandra Johren (Swiss pianist and composer)
• Tobias Johren (Finnish ice hockey player)
• Bernd Johren (German Olympic fencer)
• Karola Johren (Austrian fashion designer)
• Olav Johren (Norwegian open water swimmer)
• Pavel Johren (Czech volleyball player)

Other surnames

Jöhrens