Surname Jennen - Meaning and Origin
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Jennen: What does the surname Jennen mean?
The Jennen surname is of German-Dutch origin, with roots tracing back to the region now known as the Netherlands. It is believed to have first emerged in the area in the thirteenth century. The name is derived from the German “Jannen” or “Jann”, meaning “John”. It is believed to be an occupational surname used to refer to someone associated with the deity Janus, whose two faces symbolise beginnings, changes, and endings.
The name Jennen evolved from various forms including Jannink, Janninck, Jannes, Janse, and Jeansen. It is often seen as a variation of the popular male given name John, but can also refer to Jan or Jannetje, a Dutch female variant of the name.
As a surname, Jennen tends to be shared within a close-knit group, with much of the surname being concentrated within Germany and the Netherlands. It is not an especially common name, though in recent years there has been a rise in the number of people adopting it.
The name Jennen may evoke a sense of tradition and stability for those who have it, hinting at its ancient roots in Germany and the Netherlands. It can also be seen as a tribute to the two-faced god Janus, signalling as it does someone who stands between two worlds.
Order DNA origin analysisJennen: Where does the name Jennen come from?
The last name Jennen is most common in Northwest Europe, particularly in countries such as the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium. It is also popular in some other countries in the region, such as France, Luxembourg, and Denmark. As of 2020, the name is most often found in the Netherlands, where over 7,000 people bear the last name. Other countries with notable populations of Jennens include Germany (over 1,000), Belgium (over 1,000), and France (over 700).
In the United States, there are fewer people with the name, although it is still possible to find it in some parts of the country. It is quite popular in the Midwest, particularly in the states of Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. The last name can be found in some other states as well, such as Colorado, Texas, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
The history of the name goes all the way back to medieval Germany, where it was most likely used as a nickname for someone with auburn hair or a specific family character trait. It is believed to be derived from a personal name, such as Jann or Jannik. Over the centuries, the last name spread throughout Europe and eventually to the Americas, where it is now found in various parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Jennen
Jennen is a habitational surname originating from the French commune Jansén in Pas-de-Calais. It is much rarer than the more commonly found surname Jensen, but the two are believed to have the same origin.
Variations of the surname Jennen include Jennon, Jenon, Janson, Janssen, Jenen, Jianan, Janon, Jaanen, Jannen and Jenen.
The origin of the modern surname is believed to come from the form "Johnson" which has been broken down in turn from "Jonsson" meaning "Son of John." The name is less common than Jensen which has been adopted by many cultures around the world. In the United States, the Irish, German, Danish, Dutch, and Swedish branches of the family are the most common.
The surname Jennen is not as well known as its more common variant, Jensen, but it can be found in various spellings across the UK, Europe, and the United States. Many other spellings of the same origin such as Jenson, Janson, Janssen, Jenon, Jennon, Janon, Jianan, Jaanen, Jenen, and Jannen. can be found within these regions as well.
Overall, the surname Jennen has a long and storied history. Although not as popular as its counterparts, the name and its related variants are still found in many places around the world today.
Famous people with the name Jennen
- Arnold Jennen: Former Lancashire Cricket Club player and cricketer
- Salonna Jennen: Former professional beach volleyball player
- Debby Jennen: Dutch ice skater and five-time Olympian
- Nestor Jennen: former Dutch national team football player
- Frank Jennen: Dutch engineer and businessman
- Linda Jennen: Belgian Actress, model and television presenter
- Thorsten Jennen: German actor, director and cinematographer
- Georg Jennen: German actor and voice artist
- Anna Lena Jennen: German artist
- Fabian Jennen: Belgian professional tennis player
- Jet Jennen: Dutch artist, sculptor and ceramics artist
- William Jennen: American-born Australian actor
- Lilian Jennen: Austrian-born German stage and film actress
- Harald Jennen: German proper astronomer and physicist
- Gavin Jennen: American fashion photographer