Surname Janning - Meaning and Origin
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Janning: What does the surname Janning mean?
The surname Janning is of German origin, although the exact meaning of the name is not definitively known. Some resources suggest that it could be a derivative of the given name Johannes, which means "God is gracious" in Hebrew. It may have originally been used as a patronymic name, indicating a person who was a son of someone named Johannes. However, this is mostly speculative as many German surnames have evolved over centuries and their original meanings may have been lost or changed. Additionally, surnames can also be derived from occupations, geographical locations, or personal characteristics, so without specific historical context, it's not possible to determine the exact meaning of Janning. The surname is quite rare and most common in Germany, particularly in the northern regions.
Order DNA origin analysisJanning: Where does the name Janning come from?
The surname Janning is of German origin. It is considered a patronymic surname, meaning it was likely initially used to indicate the son of a man named Jan or Johann, which are variations of the name John in English. The suffix "-ing", especially in northern Germany, is often used to denote a relationship of paternity. Therefore, the surname Janning likely conveyed the meaning of "son of Jan" or "son of Johann."
Today, the last name Janning is predominantly found in the United States, with a significant presence in Germany, Australia, the Netherlands, Canada, and the United Kingdom. In the United States, it is most common in the states of Iowa, Ohio, Nebraska, and Minnesota, based on numbers in the census and voting registers. The surname is also known to be present in Brazil, where it likely traveled with German immigrants who started settling in Brazil in the 19th century. It is also found, though less commonly, in other countries with a significant diaspora of Germanic people.
Variations of the surname Janning
The surname Janning sometimes appears with variant spellings or has evolved from other surnames due to transliteration from another language, cultural anglicization, or a variety of related factors. Variants like Janing, Jannings, Yanning, Janin, Janninga, and Jannings are commonly seen. It might also be shortened to forms like Jan, Jann, or Ning. In some cases, additional prefixes or suffixes like van, von, de, or sen might be present depending on the cultural context.
Some of these spelling variations may have arisen due to migration, as surnames often changed to more English-sounding forms in English-speaking countries. The surname might also have evolved from similar sounding surnames such as Jennings, Johnson, Johannsen, or Janzen.
Origins of the name are primarily rooted in regions such as the Netherlands, Germany, or Denmark, where variations of John (Johan, Johann) are common in naming traditions. Therefore it's plausible that surnames of the same origin can include those stemming from the root name John. Keep in mind that this is not an exhaustive list and surname origins can be complex due to regional and historical migration patterns.
Famous people with the name Janning
- Diane Kruger: Actress
- Richard Jannings: German actor
- Rainer Jannings: former German footballer
- R. William Jannings: American physicist
- Dolly Jannings: American actress
- Paul Jannings: German painter
- J.D. Jannings: American actor
- Joe Jannings: English footballer
- Ludwig Jannings: German politician
- Cristiaan Jannings: Dutch bishop