Surname Janc - Meaning and Origin
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Janc: What does the surname Janc mean?
The last name Janc is an old Slavic name originating from western and central Europe, specifically parts of what is now known as Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Slovakia.
The name is derived from the name Jan, a popular name in the regions where the name Janc is most commonly found. It was common for names to develop as a variation of Jan, especially of the suffix was added in front of a name.
Typically, those with the last name Janc are thought to be descended from a historical figure also named Jan or ian. Examples of this template are Johann, John, and Ivan.
Furthermore, the name is thought to have originated from the term “Jancar” which is a Slavic name translation to mean ‘horse breeder’ or ‘horse trainer’.
Many historians credit the Janc family of today with descending from a long line of Slavic horse breeders across Europe.
These ancestors likely played a vital role in introducing new breeds of horses to the regions and helping to maintain horse traditions for centuries. Because of this, those with the last name Janc today carry on a long and proud legacy of horsemanship and Eastern European ancestry.
Order DNA origin analysisJanc: Where does the name Janc come from?
The last name Janc is a common and well-established surname in Central Europe, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe. It is most popular in countries such as Romania, Bulgaria, Slovenia and the Czech Republic, and is also notably present in Lithuania, Hungary, Croatia, Slovakia and Macedonia.
The origins of the name go back to the Latin name Johannes, which was commonly used in parts of Europe for the Christian name John. This underwent variation over time and further regionalization, with different variations becoming surnames. It is likely that the particular variation of Janc is most often found in areas which were once part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, from where the name likely spread to other nearby nations.
Despite its origins, the name is now firmly established in Central European culture and has become an integral part of many of the countries it is found in. Today, it is estimated that there are around 250,000 - 300,000 people around the world who bear the last name Janc, and the number continues to grow as new generations add their own version of the name to the mix.
Variations of the surname Janc
The surname Janc can be spelled in a variety of ways. While the traditional spelling of Janc is the most common form, it can also be spelled Janč, Jancz, Yancz, Yants, Yanets, Yanch, Yance, Jianc, and Jauntz.
The most common variants of Janc are those from the Czech language, as this was the origin of the name. Janč is a frequent variant in Czech language countries, and is also found in German registers. Jancz is also a more traditional spelling from this region..
Yancz is another variant common in Poland and Central and Eastern Europe, and is also found in Germany. The spelling Yants is a typical western variant, and is particularly popular in France and England. Yanch and Yance are also a form of the name, and are commonly found in the United States.
Jianc and Jauntz are two rare variants of the name. They are usually derived from French documents, and are often found in the Caribbean.
Generally, the surname Janc is an occupational name derived from the Czech word “janc”, meaning "to build". The name was originally given to people who were involved in the building trade, such as stonemasons, builders, carpenters or quarriers.
In conclusion, the surname Janc can be found in a variety of spelling variants across Europe and the Americas, including Janč, Jancz, Jauntz, Yancz, Yanets, Yanch, Yance, Jianc, and Jauntz. While the initial source of the name is from the Czech word “janc”, meaning "to build", the surname has now spread worldwide.
Famous people with the name Janc
- Tin Janč: a musician, producer, and co-founder of the Slovenian band Kuzle.
- Locke Janč: a Canadian snowboarder.
- Ota Janc: a former Czechoslovak footballer.
- Jakub Janč: a professional chess player.
- Rudolf Janc: a former TV and stage actor from Slovakia.
- Maruša Janc: an entrepreneur, investor and business coach from Slovenia.
- Berin Janč: a Croatian televison presenter and radio host.
- Pavla Janč: a Czech philosopher, writer, and theologian.
- Ladislav Janč: a former Czechoslovakian track and field athlete.
- Martha Janc: a Canadian actor, producer, and director.