Surname Jonkers - Meaning and Origin

Jonkers: What does the surname Jonkers mean?

The last name Jonkers is of German and Dutch origin. It is derived from the Dutch word ‘jonkheer’, which was an old-fashioned title of nobility, meaning ‘lord’ or ‘gentleman’. Historically, the word was used as a title for gentry of the lower nobility rank, broadly following the distinction between lords and knights.

The name Jonkers is associated with a wide range of occupations. In the Middle Ages, it was associated with horse traders or horsemen, especially those with Germanic connections, while during the 19th century, bearers of the name were more often found in trading or business. In modern times, the last name Jonkers is often associated with individuals on the diplomatic or political scenes, as well as those in the legal, military, and financial sectors.

Those with the last name Jonkers are often said to be distinguished and socially active people who enjoy the company of others. Generally, they are creative, confident, and passionate about whatever they do. They are also said to be capable of turning any problem into an opportunity, and to thrive when taking risks to achieve results. This makes the last name Jonkers an apt description of those who rise above the ordinary to pursue their ambitions and realize their dreams.

Jonkers: Where does the name Jonkers come from?

The last name Jonkers is a Dutch Patronymic surname, meaning son of Jonker. It is a very common surname in the Netherlands, particularly in the province of South Holland. It is also found in Belgium and in the southeastern Netherlands, particularly in the provinces of Drenthe, Utrecht, Gelderland, and parts of Overijssel.

The Jonkers surname is still quite common in these areas today. According to the Dutch Statistical Database, there were over 14,000 people with the Jonkers surname in the Netherlands in 2020. It is the 43rd most common surnames in the Netherlands, and the 9th most common in South Holland. It is also quite common in Belgium, ranking 20th in terms of frequency in that country.

The Jonkers surname is relatively uncommon in other countries. It is not in the top 1000 surnames in the United States, and is found in smaller numbers in Canada, England, Scotland, Ireland, Germany, and Australia. However, due to immigration, the numbers of Jonkers are growing in many of these countries.

In the Netherlands and Belgium, it is likely that the Jonkers surname will remain very common for some time to come.

Variations of the surname Jonkers

The surname Jonkers is an occupational surname of Dutch and Flemish origin. It is derived from the Middle Dutch word ‘jongheer’, which means ‘young lord’. It denoted a landed squire with lower status than a knight or baron. Variants of the surname include Jonker, Jonckers, Jonckheer, Jongheer, Jungheer, Juncker, Junker, de Jonge, Jongsman, and Jongmans.

Jonkers is most common among Dutch and Flemish households, especially in the Netherlands and Belgium. The spelling of the surname evolved over time and Jonker is the most commonly used spelling. Due to the declining usage of Dutch, particularly in the United States, some people with the surname spell it as Jonkers.

Variants of the surname also include Juncker and de Jonge. Juncker is derived from the German designation for a member of the minor nobility, and de Jonge is the Dutch form of the name.

The Jonkers family is also spelled and surnamed differently in countries around the world. In the United States, the surname is spelled as Yonker. Other variations include Jongeur, Jonkman,Jongkind,Jongman, Jonging, Jonkherr, and Jongsma.

In Scotland, the surname took the form of Jankie. In France, it is spelled as Jonquere, while in Germany, variations include Junker and Juncker. In Portugal, Dickinson is a derivative of the surname, and in Italy it is spelled as Gioncir.

In conclusion, Jonkers is an occupational surname of Dutch and Flemish origin, derived from the word ‘jongheer’, which means ‘young lord’. Variants of the surname include Jonker, Jonckers, Jonckheer, Jongheer, Jungheer, Juncker, Junker, de Jonge, Jongsman, and Jongmans. Spellings and surnames for the surname vary in countries around the world; for example, Yonker in the US, Jankie in Scotland and Gioncir in Italy.

Famous people with the name Jonkers

• Nico Jonkers: Netherlands football player who played for FC Utrecht, Heracles Almelo, RKC Waalwijk, Excelsior, and Al Jazira Club in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
• Jeroen Jonkers: Former Dutch professional footballer, who passed away in 2016, who played mainly in Belgium for clubs such as Lommel, KV Mechelen, and Gent
• Ivan Jonkers: Professional windsurfer and kite surfer from The Netherlands
• Diego Jonkers: Former footballer from the Netherlands who played for Excelsior and FC Zwolle
• Tyler Jonkers: Professional ice hockey player who currently plays for the Utica Comets of the American Hockey League (AHL)
• Lydia Jonkers: Former Dutch professional woman’s footballer, who was a part of the Dutch team that won the European Women's Championship in 1984
• Kees Jonkers: Former professional football player from the Netherlands who represented Go Ahead Eagles, NEC Nijmegen, Excelsior, and Valur in professional leagues
• Rob Jonkers: Former Dutch professional football player who played for SC Heerenveen, PEC Zwolle, Vitesse Arnhem, and SC Cambuur
• Matthijs Jonkers: Professional footballer from the Netherlands who is currently playing for Go Ahead Eagles
• Emma Jonkers: Dutch professional swimmer who is a member of De Dolfijn swimming club

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