Surname Jansons - Meaning and Origin
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Jansons: What does the surname Jansons mean?
The last name Jansons is of Baltic origin and means "son of Jan". It is assumed to be a patronymic surname derived from the Christian name "Jan" which was derived from a Hebrew name meaning "he who is favored by God", or from the Greek version "John" which is derived from the Aramaic "Yehohanan" and stands for "God is Gracious". Therefore the surname Jansons originally indicated that the family line descends from a man named Jan.
Through the centuries the surname has spread throughout Eastern Europe, especially in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, where it is still quite common. In other countries it is often found in a variant form, such as Janšons in Latvian, Janon in French, ¨Janzon in Swedish, Jansohn in German, Yannson in Russian, and Jansonss in Lithuanian.
The Jansons family has a long and rich history, with prominent members known for their creativity and leadership. 19th century Latvian composer Peteris Jansons was well-known for his choral works. Throughout history, members of the Jansons family have used their talents for music, painting, writing, and other artistic endeavors. Notable members of the family have also served in a variety of positions throughout society.
Overall, the last name Jansons reflects a long and proud history, and is often associated with excellence, dedication, and creativity.
Order DNA origin analysisJansons: Where does the name Jansons come from?
The last name Jansons is most commonly found in the Baltic countries of Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia. Jansons is the 40th-most-commonly occurring surname in Estonia. In Lithuania, it is the 81st-most-common, and in Latvia, the 207th-most-common family name.
The name has Scandinavian origins, derived from the patronymic name Jansson. It was the adopted name of several families in Sweden and Finland before being brought to the Baltics by a few immigrants in the 16th century. It is mainly concentrated in rural areas, suggesting it spread more quickly in rural places, possibly due to farming, forestry, or fishing, which were common among the people of the Baltic region.
The Jansons family is also found in the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, and other countries with large Baltic diasporas. There are also numerous people of other nationalities who have adopted the name.
The name Jansons remains an important and common identifier for those with Baltic roots, both in its original lands and among the diaspora today.
Variations of the surname Jansons
The surname Jansons is derived from the given name Jan and is an occupational surname originating from the Netherlands. Variants of the surname include Jansen, Janson, Janssen, Janssens, Jansson, and Janszoon.
In Sweden, Janson is a patronymic surname, meaning "son of Jan." In Germany, Jansen is derived from Joahnnes. In the Netherlands, Janssen is derived from Jan's son.
Other Scandinavian variants of the name are Janson, Jannson, Jansson, and Janzen. In England, the surname is often spelled Janszoon, and is found mainly in Lancashire and Lincolnshire.
In the United States, these surnames are sometimes used interchangeably; for example, a person who spells their surname as Janssen may also spell it as Janszoon.
In Spain, the surname Janssen is more commonly spelled Jansén (with a diacritical mark over the é).
Other variants that can be found include Yanson, Janshom, Janczun, Yansun, and Janshon.
There are several spelling variations in North America associated with the name; for instance, Jama, Jamma, Jami, Jammi, and Jimmi.
Variations of the surname in other countries include Jancso (Hungary), Gyenis (Hungary), Jansohn (Germany), Jansson (Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland), and Júnsson (Iceland).
Famous people with the name Jansons
- Mariss Jansons: Latvian conductor and recently retired music director of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
- Andris Jansons: Latvian opera singer and teacher, uncle of Mariss
- Vans Jansons: Latvian football manager and former professional footballer
- Laima Jansone: Latvian female professional tennis player
- Normunds Jansons: Latvian handball player
- Karlis Jansons: Latvian high jumper
- Anda Jansone: Latvian middle-distance runner
- Ferdinands Jansons: Latvian former retired basketball player
- Andrejs Jansons: Latvian film director, screenwriter, and cinematographer
- Kaspars Jansons: Latvian model and musician