Surname Jänel - Meaning and Origin
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Jänel: What does the surname Jänel mean?
Jänel is a German surname which is most commonly found in Germany and Sweden. It is derived from the given name Jan. Jan itself is a given name which has multiple origins, including from Hebrew, where it bears the meaning of ‘God is gracious’. The name is linked to the Apostle and presumed author of the Gospel of John.
Jänel is a variant of this name with the Germanic suffix -el, which is typically appended to a given name in order to show an affectionate relationship. For instance, Daniel becomes Dani-el. This suffix can also be used to link a name to a high or honorable rank, as with the naming of various archangels in the Bible. In this sense, Jänel has the general meaning of ‘John’ or of ‘God is gracious’, although the exact context may depend on the individual use of the name.
Jänel was likely a popular name at some point, as it is still relatively common throughout Germany and other parts of Europe. It was likely adopted by families as a method of honoring a particular person (perhaps an ancestor or other individual of social standing) or as an expression of piety or devotion to the Christian faith.
In the modern-day, the name Jänel is still used to identify people of German descent and to stand in recognition of their ancestry. It is a name that honors the past while serving as a reminder of the values and culture that have been passed down through generations.
Order DNA origin analysisJänel: Where does the name Jänel come from?
The last name Jänel is most common in Germany today, particularly in the state of Saxony-Anhalt. The highest concentration of Jänel's is found in the city of Magdeburg, the capital of Saxony-Anhalt. Some other areas with notable populations include Brandenburg, Lower Saxony, and North Rhine-Westphalia. The earliest records of this family can be traced back to the 15th and 16th centuries at which time the family lived in East Prussia, particularly in Lübau, now Złotów, Poland.
The surname Jänel is derived from a diminutive of the name Jan or Johannes. The surname is also commonly found with various spelling variations such as Iannell, Jannal, Jaenel, and Jännel.
According to genealogists, the original family name was most likely used by members of the Prussian nobility, and it was probably used as a hereditary name for a son of a nobleman.
In modern times, Jänel's are still found in Germany, with the population spread across many different cities and towns. However, today it is likely to find an individual with the last name Jänel living elsewhere around the world due to migration throughout the years. For example, in the US, there is a notable population of Jänels living mostly in Minnesota and North and South Dakota.
Variations of the surname Jänel
The surname Jänel (also spelled Jaehnl, Jaehnel and Janel) is of German, Estonian, Hungarian and Latvian origins. It is derived from the given name Johannes (John) and is a patronymic surname, which is a type of surname derived from the given name of a person's father, grandfather, or an earlier male ancestor. The Jänel surname often takes the form of a diminutive, such as Jeannle or Janet. Other variants and related surnames include Jehnle, Jaenle, Jaenel, Jahnle, Jahnel, Jaehnling, Jenle and Jenel.
The Jänel surname is common in German-speaking countries and eastern European regions of Hungary and the Baltics. In Germany, the Jänel surname is often affiliated with the regions of Franconia, Hesse, Baden, Würtemberg and the Palatinate. In Estonia it is most common in the Harju County. It is amongst some of the most frequent surnames in Latvia, particularly in Vidzeme.
In the United States, the Jänel surname began appearing in the 19th and early 20th centuries as a result of German and Baltic immigration. The surnames most commonly found include Jannel, Janel, Jahnle, Janell and Janelle.
The Jänel surname is also found in other countries, such as Canada, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. It is particularly common in Canada, where it ranks among the top 300 surnames.
Famous people with the name Jänel
- Pat Jänel is an American cartoonist and attorney known for her cartooning series YOINK!
- Rein Jänel served as First Deputy Parliamentary Leader of the Free Democratic Party of Germany from 2006 to 2009.
- Martha Jänel is a German actress.
- Hedda Jänel is a German cabaret and musical theatre actress.
- Kari Jänel is a Finnish baseball player and coach.
- Katrin Jänel is a German biathlete.
- Günther Jänel was a Social Democratic Member of the European Parliament from Germany.
- Eric Jänel is a German football coach.
- Dorothea Jänel is a German lawyer and writer who serves as a Standing Judge in the Federal Court of Justice.
- Claus Jänel is a German neurologist and psychoanalyst.
- Alex Jänel is a German diver who competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.
- Dominic Jänel is a German luger who competed in the 2014, 2018 and 2022 Winter Olympic Games.
- Erwin Jänel is a German cross-country skier.
- Reinhard Jänel is a German professor, economist, and business consultant.
- Lars Jänel is a German film director and documentary filmmaker.
- Christoph Jänel is a German sailor.
- Anja Jänel is a German curler.