Surname Jehns - Meaning and Origin
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Jehns: What does the surname Jehns mean?
The surname Jehns (pronounced JAYNS) is derived from two Germanic names, Johannes and Johann. It is a patronymic form, meaning it derived from a parent’s given name.
The first known reference to the Jehns surname dates back to 1444, when Johann Jehns was living in Northeim, Germany.
In Germany, surnames were introduced in the 15th century without a specific meaning, but arose as a way to differentiate between families. They usually were created by adding an extra syllable to the front of their father's given name.
The name Jehns may have been derived from a father’s given name, Johannes, which is derived from the Hebrew name Yochanan and means "God is gracious". This could mean that the Jehns family belonged to a devoutly religious family.
The surname Jehns is believed to be a Germanic name, but other countries such as the Netherlands, Poland, and Austria have families that bear this name as well.
Nowadays, the surname Jehns is a relatively uncommon surname found in countries like Germany, Austria, Netherlands, and the United States. It is a unique name, so most likely anyone you come across with the Jehns surname is related in some way.
Order DNA origin analysisJehns: Where does the name Jehns come from?
The last name Jehns is of German origin and is most commonly found in various countries in Europe today. In Germany, the last name is most commonly found in Berlin, Brandenburg, and Saxony. The lower Rhine area of Germany is home to a fair number of people with the last name Jehns as are the cities of Hamburg and Munich.
Outside of Germany, Jehns is common in the Netherlands, where it is most often found in the central and southeastern parts of the country. People with the last name Jehns have also settled in the United Kingdom, where the most commonly named regions are London and Birmingham.
In the United States, the last name Jehns is most commonly found in States in areas with historically large German populations such as Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, and Michigan. In Canada, the last name Jehns is found in Manitoba, Ontario, and Alberta.
Jehns is not a particularly common last name in any of these countries today, with an estimated number of approximately 10,000 people bearing the name worldwide.
Variations of the surname Jehns
The Jehns surname is of German and Dutch origin. It is derived from the given name Johann, which is a form of the Hebrew name Yohanan, meaning “God is gracious.” Common variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the Jehns surname include:
Jens: This is a common variant of the Jehns surname, primarily found in Germany and Scandinavia.
Jahn: This variant is German in origin and is the most commonly used form of the surname in parts of Germany.
Johns: This is a variant spelling of the surname found primarily in the United States and the United Kingdom.
Jans: This variant of the Jehns surname is primarily found in the Netherlands.
Jenns: This variant is found primarily in England.
Janes: This variant is primarily found in the United States.
Jenks: This variant is English in origin and is another spelling of the Jehns surname.
Janz: This is a German variant of the Jehns surname.
Jahns: This is also a German variant of the Jehns surname.
The Jehns surname and all its variants are believed to have originated in the region of Germany, which was once part of the Holy Roman Empire. Many of the variants of the name were carried to other countries by immigrants, especially during the 19th century.
Famous people with the name Jehns
- Chris Jehns: A former American professional baseball pitcher, he played in Major League Baseball from 1983 to 1991.
- Bill Jehns: A professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour from 1965 to 1973.
- Wesley Jehns: An American Formula One racing driver who competed in the United States Grand Prix in 1966.
- Hermes Jehns: An American actor who won the 2000 Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in American Beauty.
- André Jehns: A Dutch artist known for his expressionistic paintings.
- Charly Jehns: A German football player who was active in the 1970s and 1980s.
- Ernest Jehns: An American sculptor who is best known for his realistically-styled bronze busts of famous people, particularly politicians.
- Herman Jehns: An Austrian painter and graphic artist, considered a leading exponent of the Vienna Secession art movement.
- Hertha Jehns: A German visual artist and educator who specialized in paper-based media.
- Fred Jehns: An American film and television production designer who worked on numerous high-profile projects, including E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.