Surname Jonath - Meaning and Origin

Jonath: What does the surname Jonath mean?

The last name Jonath is of Germanic origin, which is derived from the given name “Jonath”. The name Jonath is a combination of two older Germanic elements - “jôn” meaning “God is gracious” and “aþal” meaning “noble”. The combination of these two elements has been interpreted to mean “God-given nobility”.

The origin of this name can be traced back to mediaeval times. At that time, the family with this surname could usually be found in northern Germany and in some areas of what were the provinces of Salzburg, Kärnten and Styria in Austria.

There are records of the Jonath surname being found in the United States and United Kingdom as well. The first record of the name in the United States was in 1834, when a German immigrant by the name of George Jonath settled in Pennsylvania. In England the earliest recorded Jonath was Thomas Jonath, who married Catherine Abbot in 1641 in London.

Today the Jonath Surname is still found in Europe, the United States and United Kingdom. It is, however, much more widely spread across the world due to increased migration in more recent times. Currently the United States is home to the highest concentration of people with the surname Jonath.

Jonath: Where does the name Jonath come from?

The last name Jonath is most commonly found in the United States today. It is more frequently found in the Midwest and Northeast regions of the country, specifically in the states of Ohio and New York.

Ohio is the state in which Jonath is the most prevalent. According to Ancestry.com, the last name is ranked as the 1451st most common surname in the state. In the U.S. as a whole, the name is about the 5,118th most-used name.

New York is the other significantly populated area where the name is frequently used. Here, Jonath ranks as the 2118th most popular surname.

Jonath is believed to have originated in southern Germany in the early 19th century. The meaning behind the name is most likely derived from the Hebrew words "yo-nath," which means "God's gift." Specifically, it translates to "God's beauty."

At the beginning of the 20th century, immigrants from Germany traveling to the U.S. brought Jonath to the States with them. Since then, the name has increased in popularity and is now a common name. Today, although the name has a distinct German origin, it is not limited to one race or ethnicity as it has spread widely throughout the nation.

Variations of the surname Jonath

The surname Jonath is of English origin. It is derived from Old French and means ‘peaceful’ or ‘safe’. Variants of Jonath include Jonat, Jona, Jonathah, Jonatha, Jonathen, Jonaeth, Jonnath, Jonseth, and Jonson.

Spellings of Jonath include Jonat, Jona, Jonatah, Jonatha, Jonather, Jonathen, Jonathin, Jonothon, Jonothan, and Jonathon.

Surnames of the same origin as Jonath include Johnson, Johns, Jonesson, and Joyce.

Johnson is an English patronymic surname derived from the pre-Christian, Germanic given name John, meaning ‘the Lord is gracious.’ Johns is an English variant of the same name also meaning ‘the Lord is gracious.'

Jonesson is a Scandinavian patronymic surname derived from the given name Jon, meaning “the Lord is gracious.” Joyce is an Anglicized variant of the Irish Gaelic surname O'Shea meaning ‘descendant of Shea.’

Famous people with the name Jonath

• Johnathan Rhys Meyers: Actor who has been in acclaimed films and television shows such as Bend It Like Beckham, Mission Impossible III, and the television series The Borgias and Dracula.
• Joanna Newsom: American singer-songwriter and harpist.
• Jonathan Freeman: Actor and singer who was the original Jafar in the Broadway production of Aladdin.
• Jonathan Levine: A director, screenwriter, and producer known for 50/50, Warm Bodies, and Snatched.
• Jonathan Winters: A comedian and actor who starred in the classic 70's sitcom Mork & Mindy and had a recurring role on The Smurfs cartoon.
• Jonathan Swift: An Anglo-Irish satirist, essayist, and author best known for his works Gulliver's Travels and A Modest Proposal.
• Jonathan Frakes: Actor, director, and author who is best known for his portrayal of Commander William Riker on Star Trek: The Next Generation.
• Jonathan Sadowski: Actor best known for his roles in the sitcoms She's Out of My League and Young & Hungry.
• Jonathan Taylor Thomas: Child actor who found fame for voicing young Simba in the Disney classic The Lion King, and for his sitcom roles on Home Improvement, 8 Simple Rules, and Veronicas Closet.
• Jonathan Slavin: A character actor best known for his roles as Steve in Better Off Ted and Phil in Raising Hope.
• Jonathan Brandis: A late 90's teen actor whom starred in movies such as SeaQuest 2032, Ladybugs, and Sidekicks.
• Jonathan Crombie: Actor best known as the lead Gilbert Blythe in Anne of Green Gables and its sequels.
• Jonathan Dayton: A film director who directed the romantic comedy Little Miss Sunshine and the biographical drama Joy.
• Jonathan Knight: A singer and member of the boyband New Kids on the Block.
• Jonathan Lipnicki: A former child actor who had prominent roles in films such as Jerry Maguire, Stuart Little, and The Little Vampire.

Other surnames

JonatJonatatJonathal