Surname Janovsky - Meaning and Origin

Janovsky: What does the surname Janovsky mean?

The last name Janovsky is of Slavic origin and it is derived from the given name John or Jan. It is a patronymic name, meaning it is derived from the given name of a parent or ancestor. Jan is derived from the Hebrew name "Yochanan" meaning "God is gracious".

The Janovsky family was very likely nomadic in origin and spread down from Polish-Lithuanian territories to present-day Ukraine, Belarus and Russia in the 18th century. People bearing this last name typically endured many difficult journeys and challenging occupations.

The Janovsky family name is most commonly found among Jews living in Poland, Belarus and Lithuania in the 16th and 17th centuries. These Jews were more likely to be aligned with Hasidism and founded agricultural communities or settled in urban surroundings.

The Janovsky coat of arms was based on the idea of generosity and mercy. The shield, depicting an open hand surrounded by roses, served as a reminder to those of the Janovsky family to always demonstrate kindness. The crest on top of the shield is a Biblical angel symbolizing protection.

The Janovskys have had many distinguished members throughout history, including academics, musicians, artists and writers. Their history remains closely tied to the legacy of their patronymic founder, John or Jan. By retaining the strong sense of community established by the original Janovskys centuries ago, these individuals have become a unified source of victory for their birthplaces and beyond.

Janovsky: Where does the name Janovsky come from?

The last name Janovsky is common today in countries primarily located in Central and Eastern Europe, especially in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Croatia. It is also found in Germany, Poland, Serbia, and parts of Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus.

The origins of Janovsky can be traced back to the titular Czech princely family of Janovský, who were located in the region since the Middle Ages. During the Proto-Slavic period, the name was spelled Yaniov, Yanov, Jánov, and Janov, although shortening to Janovsky eventually became more widespread.

In the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary, the surname Janovsky is among the top 100 most common family names. In Germany, it is ranked #15370, and is even more rare in countries further overseas.

In addition to its usage as a surname, the name Janovsky is also the name of two minor settlements in the Czech Republic. Additionally, the Czech botanist Karel Janovsky is known for his work on the morphology and growth of plants. Several streets, alleys, squares, and a university dorm in the Czech Republic are also named for him.

Variations of the surname Janovsky

Janovsky is a well-known surname originating from Slavic countries like the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Poland. It is derived from the root Jan meaning "John" and the suffix “–ovsky” meaning "son of."

The most common variant of Janovsky is Jánovský, which is the Czech, Slovak, and Polish spelling. Other variants include: Yampolsky, Yanovsky, Yampolski, Yampolsky, and Yampolska.

On the other hand, surnames with a similar origin include: Jancek,ジャンチェク、ヨンチェク; Jasek, ジャセク、ヨセク; Janik, ジャニク、ヨニク; Janys,ジャニス; and Janicki, ジャニッキ、ヨニッキ. To a lesser extent, variants with a similar origin can include Yampolski, Yampolska, and Yanovsky.

When translating Janovsky from Latin characters into Japanese, it can be written as ヤノフスキ,ヤノウスキ, or ヤンオフスキ.

In short, the surname Janovsky has a number of variants, spellings, and related surnames with a similar origin. These include Jánovský, Yampolsky, Yanovsky, Yampolski, Yampolska, Jancek, Jasek, Janik, Janys, Janicki, Yampolski, Yampolska, and Yanovsky. In addition, when translated to Japanese, the name is written as ヤノフスキ, ヤノウスキ, or ヤンオフスキ.

Famous people with the name Janovsky

• Evan Janovsky: American actor and producer known for his roles in Amazon's Original Series "Absentia" and Freeform's TV show "Recovery Road."
• Eugene Janovsky: Russian musicologist and ethnomusicologist who wrote musicological works on Russian and Ukrainian folk culture and their connections to world music.
• Yuri Janovsky: Belarusian businessman and entrepreneur who is best known as the founder of the Janovsky Business Group.
• Olga Janovsky: Ukrainian philanthropist who gives donations to support organizations devoted to the prevention of human trafficking, homelessness, and domestic violence.
• David Janovsky: British-American piano virtuoso who has performed with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, and the BBC Symphony Orchestra.
• Levi Janovsky: Israeli basketball player who looks to join his national team in the 2020 Olympics, playing as a center.
• Alan Janovsky: American retired basketball coach who won two national championships with UCLA and had head coaching stints in the NBA, WNBA and other collegiate teams.
• Jakub Janovsky: Czech professional football player who plays as a striker for FK Jablonec in the Czech First League.
• Andriy Janovsky: Ukrainian actor and theatre director best known for his performance in the movie "Superlev" and his recurring roles in the TV series "Slovo".
• Peter Janovsky: Austrian-American former competitive figure skater who competed in the sport from 1973–1976, winning several medals along the way.

Other surnames

JanovskiJanovszki