Surname Jagiella - Meaning and Origin

Jagiella: What does the surname Jagiella mean?

The last name Jagiella is of Polish origin and has historically been associated with many branches of Polish royalty. It is believed to have derived from the name Jaga, a Slavic pagan goddess of forests and motherhood. Over time, the suffix “-ella” was added, suggesting ownership or lineage derived from the deity Jaga.

The Jagiella dynasty dates back to 1386, when the Grand Duke of Lithuania, Jogaila, married Jadwiga of Anjou to form a personal union between Poland and Lithuania. Jogaila would take her name as his own, and the Jagiella branch of the royal family was born.

Throughout its history, the Jagiella family has produced rulers for both Poland and Lithuania. Jogaila's successors included his sons Władysław II Jagiełło, Władysław III and Kazimierz IV, as well as several distant cousins.

Though the Jagiella dynasty eventually ended in 1572, the name is still carried on by Polish citizens today. Many of Jogaila's descendants would later settle in various parts of Europe, including France, England, Scotland, and Germany.

The last name Jagiella continues to be a symbol of the strength of the Polish monarchy and its deep historical roots. It serves as a reminder of the Jagiella dynasty’s legacy—a legacy that remains very much alive within Polish culture and identity.

Jagiella: Where does the name Jagiella come from?

The Jagiella surname can still be found today primarily throughout Central and Eastern Europe. It first appears to originate in Poland, and is also popular in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Lithuania, Belarus, and Ukraine. It is believed to have officially been a surname since the 14th century; however, there are references to people with the name Jagiella as early as the 11th century.

The Jagiellas of Poland trace their heritage to King Wladyslaw II Jagiello, who formed a political alliance between Lithuania and Poland in 1385. The Jagiella name continues to be used as a royal title in Poland, with the king being known as His Royal Highness The Prince and Grand Duke of the Jagiellons.

In some cases the surname has been modified in other countries, such as Austria and Hungary, to Yagiella. This is due to either translation difficulties or a lack of understanding of the original language, as the same characters didn't exist in both written languages.

Jagiella can also be found in Western countries, with Poland having one of the largest rate of emigration in Europe. Poland has a diaspora throughout Europe, as well as in North America, and this is where the Jagiella name is now common. Although not as frequent, it can also be found in other regions around the world due to migration.

Variations of the surname Jagiella

Jagiella is a Polish surname usually associated with members of the House of Jagiellon, which was a royal family that ruled Poland and Lithuania from 1385 to 1572. Variants of the name include Jageilo, Jagella, Jagel, Jakubiec and Jakubowski.

The earliest known version of the surname is Jageilo, a Lithuanian form. This version is believed to have been derived from the original OldTRYBYLian family, known as the Gediminids. Jageilo eventually became associated with members of the Jagiellon dynasty. During the 16th century, this form of the name began to be used more commonly in Polish documents. The spelling of Jageillo slowly changed to Jagiello and eventually Jagiella.

Other personal forms of the surname may have been used as well. These include Jagella, Jagel, Jakubiec and Jakubowski. It is unclear whether these forms are derived from the original Jageilo variant, or if they originated independently. Regardless of the origin, these variants all refer to the same root name.

The variations of Jagiella are not confined to Poland. This surname has spread to many other countries, including Germany, Sweden and Denmark. In Germany, surname variants can include Jager and Jages. In Sweden, the surname may appear as Jegal, and in Denmark it may be spelled as Jegel.

Regardless of the spelling, the majority of these surnames can be traced back to the same source; the House of Jagiellon, and ultimately to the Old Prussian family known as Gediminids.

Famous people with the name Jagiella

• Ladislaus Jagiello (1440–1444), King of Bohemia
• Sophia of Halshany Jagiellon (1445–1503), Duchess of Bohemia
• Casimir IV Jagiellon (1427–1492), Grand Duke of Lithuania and King of Poland
• Elzbieta Jagiello (1455–1512), Grand Duchess of Lithuania
• Andrew Jagiello (1460–1503), Prince of Hungary and Bohemia
• Alexander Jagiellon (1461–1506), Grand Duke of Lithuania and King of Poland
• Hedwig Jagiellon (1465–1502), Duchess of Bayern
• Sigismund I Jagiello (1467–1548), King of Poland
• Anna Jagiellon (1476–1518), Duchess of Lithuania
• John I Jagiello (1492–1501), King of Bohemia and Hungary
• Sigismund II Jagiellon (1520–1572), King of Poland 1573–1621), Polish politician and statesman
• Stanislaus I Jagiellon (1543–1593), King of Poland
• Catherine Jagiellon (1526–1583), Queen consort of Poland
• Stephen Báthory Jagiellon (1533–1581), King of Poland
• Anna Jagiellon (1523–1596), Electress of Brandenburg
• Vladislaus III Jagiello (1424–1444), King of Bohemia
• Anne Jagiellon (1436–1503), Grand Duchess of Lithuania
• Andrew Jagiellon (1430–1498), Prince of Poland
• Barbara Jagiellon (1476–1512), Duchess of Pomerania

Other surnames

JagielaJagielloJagielowicz