Surname Josselyn - Meaning and Origin
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Josselyn: What does the surname Josselyn mean?
The surname Josselyn is of French origin, believed to have evolved from the personal name Joscelin. This name was brought over to England by the Normans during the Norman Conquest of 1066. The French name Joscelin is formed from the Germanic elements gaut, which was the name of a Germanic tribe also known as the Gauts, and hlyn, meaning "maple". Therefore, the Josselyn surname can be interpreted as "descendant of Gautlin (little Gaut)". The name is mostly found in East Anglia, where the family was granted lands after the Norman Conquest. Recorded variations of the spelling include Jocelyn, Joslin, Joselyn, and many others.
Order DNA origin analysisJosselyn: Where does the name Josselyn come from?
The last name Josselyn is of French origin. It is believed to have been derived from "Jocelyn," which was originally a personal name for both males and females. The name Jocelyn is believed to be from a Germanic personal name composed of the elements gaud, which means "joke," and helm, which means "helmet." The surname is likely a reference to someone playful or teasing.
As a surname, Josselyn appears to have originated from the Normandy region of France, specifically from Jocelin, a place in Aisne. It was probably brought to England during the Norman Conquest in 1066.
Today, the last name Josselyn is not particularly common anywhere in the world. However, in the United States, it has been most frequently found in the states of Massachusetts and Maine throughout history. Its use has also been traced to other states such as Ohio and California. Due to historical migration patterns, the surname should also exist in other English-speaking countries like Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, but in relatively smaller numbers.
Variations of the surname Josselyn
The surname Josselyn is of Norman French origin. It is believed to have been derived from the personal name Joscelin, which itself comes from the Germanic name Goscelin.
There are several variants and alternative spellings of Josselyn that have cropped up over the centuries. These include Jocelyn, Josselin, Joscelin, Joscelyn, Joslyn, Joslin, Josslin, Jocelyne, and Joscelyne. The spelling could vary considerably even within the same time period and locality, partly due to a lack of standardized spelling rules.
The name has also spawned several patronymic surnames, which are derived from the name of a person's father or a paternal ancestor. Some examples are Joslynson, Joslinson, and Josslynson.
Moreover, there may be differences in how the name is rendered in different languages. For instance, in French, it could be spelled as Josceline or Jocelyne. In Spanish, Italian, and Catalan, it could be spelled as Jocelino.
It should be noted that these variants and spellings originated over many centuries and in various locations, and they may not all be currently in use. Furthermore, the surname has likely morphed and evolved in ways that are not documented here. As such, this list is not exhaustive.
Famous people with the name Josselyn
- Zoe Josselyn: She is a Canadian actress known for her work on the television series, Murdoch Mysteries.
- Rebecca Josselyn: She is an American playwright, director, and musical theater composer.
- Michael Josselyn: He is an Australian film producer and director.
- John Josselyn: He is a British actor and theatrical producer.
- Stephan Josselyn: He is an American architect and urban planner.
- Kyle Josselyn: He is a former Major League Baseball pitcher.
- Phyllis Josselyn: She is an American fashion designer.
- Peter Josselyn: He is a British ice hockey player.
- Raphael Josselyn: He is a Canadian actor and stand-up comedian.
- William Josselyn: He is an English painter and illustrator.