Surname Jencks - Meaning and Origin

Jencks: What does the surname Jencks mean?

The last name Jencks is an English and Scottish patronymic surname that dates back to the 13th century. The name is derived from an Old French given name Gennes, which is a Latin variation of the name Juno, that was likely used for a child of faith. The name is also derived from the Old English word "Gennesum" which means common woodlands or pasture. The name Jencks is most commonly found in the north-west of England, and in Scotland, specifically in the counties of Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire.

In the 14th and 15th centuries Jencks was a common name in the region around Glasgow, but as more people moved away from home to search for a better life, there was a wide dispersal of the name over England and Wales, and it is now found throughout the United Kingdom. In the United States, Jencks is the spelling most often used for the family surname.

The Jencks family is steeped in a rich heritage that is marked strong by the loyalty and commitment that is displayed in each members name. The Jencks name has a long-standing history as a family name, and is deeply rooted in the ancient dynasties of Scotland and England. Although no definitive meaning can be attached to the name, it is clear that it has strong ties to the land and a rich heritage of loyalty and faith in the power of family.

Jencks: Where does the name Jencks come from?

The last name Jencks is most commonly found today in North America, England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. In the United States, the highest concentration of the name can be found in Indiana and Michigan.

In Indiana, the Jencks surname is mainly associated with the city of Fort Wayne, where many Jencks families have settled and thrived. In Michigan, the Jencks family is mainly found around the Grand Rapids area. In England, the Jencks name is associated mostly with West Yorkshire, where it is among the fifty most common surnames in the region.

In Scotland, the Jencks name is most commonly found in the villages of Merkland and Boardersville. In Ireland, the Jencks name can be found in County Fermanagh and Belfast, while in Wales the highest concentrations are in Glamorgan, Monmouthshire, and Pembrokeshire.

The Jencks surname is an old one, and is believed to have originated in Normandy, France, in the 11th century. The original family is believed to have settled in England in the early 12th century, and their descendants spread to the other areas of the British Isles in subsequent centuries.

Variations of the surname Jencks

The surname Jencks has many variants and spellings. Some of the common variants, spellings, and surnames of this name are Jankes, Janicks, Jenx, Jence, Jinkes, Jenkins, Jenkyns, Jinks, and Joucks.

Jankes and Janicks are two versions of the same name that is rather uncommon outside of Poland and Lithuania. This variation of the surname often appears with a K instead of a C, and it is believed that the original name was borne by refugees escaping from religious persecution during the Middle Ages.

Jenx is another variation of the same name. This version is especially common in The Netherlands and it appears in the records of various Dutch families. That being said, this form of the name is also found in England, Scotland, Ireland, and the United States.

Jence is a variation of Jencks that is found predominantly in Hungary. It is apparent from several records, such as baptismal records, that it is a common version of the same name in Hungary.

Jinkes and Jenkins are two spellings of the same name. Jinkes is more common in Scotland, while Jenkins is more frequent in England and Wales. This variation of the surname is found throughout the world, from North America to New Zealand.

Jenkyns is another spelling that appears to be quite common in England. This version is found particularly in southern England, especially around the city of Bath. It is believed that this version of the name may have been derived from a Welsh variant of the name.

Finally, Jinks and Joucks are two other spellings of the same name that is found throughout England and Scotland. In some genealogical records, Joucks appears to have been derived from Jinks, while in other records it appears to be a variant of Jence or numerous other versions of the name.

Famous people with the name Jencks

• Chris Jencks: American professor in sociology
• Marshall Jencks: British sociologist, statistician and mathematician
• Ward Jencks: American journalist and filmmaker
• Philip Jencks: American theatre director
• Roger A. Jencks: American architect
• Chris Jenks: English music producer
• Hugh M. Jencks: American engineer and businessman
• Perceval Jencks: British architect and urban designer
• Nat Jencks: American writer, entrepreneur, angel investor, and venture capitalist
• William Jencks: American physicist and chemist

Other surnames

Jenckes