Surname Jens - Meaning and Origin
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Jens: What does the surname Jens mean?
The last name Jens is a Scandinavian patronymic surname, which is derived from the given name Jen. The given name would in turn be derived from the Hebrew name Yochanan (John). This name was quite popular during the Middle Ages, and it is thought to have become the root of many European surnames.
The name Jens can be traced back to the Middle Ages, and it was found in various parts of Europe, especially in Scandinavia. The name was particularly common in Denmark and Germany. It is thought to have originally been a patronymic surname, meaning "son of Jen" or "descendant of Jen".
In addition to its patronymic origin, the name Jens could also have been derived from the word gand, which is an Old Norse term for a 'goose'. This could have been a nickname for someone who was supposed to have resembled a goose in some way.
In modern day, the name Jens is still relatively common and is especially concentrated in countries with a Scandinavian history. In the United States, the name is not as popular and is found more in states with a Scandinavian population.
Overall, the last name Jens has a history going back centuries and is believed to have originated either from a patronymic origin or a nickname given to someone who supposedly resembled a goose.
Order DNA origin analysisJens: Where does the name Jens come from?
The last name Jens is an extremely common surname throughout Europe. It is primarily found in Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and the Netherlands, but has also spread to numerous other countries throughout the world due to immigration.
In Germany, Jens is the 18th most common surname, with estimates of nearly 200,000 people with the last name. Similarly, approximately 59,000 people in Denmark have the last name Jens, making it the 17th most common surname in the country.
In Sweden, the number of people with the last name Jens is slightly lower at around 39,000, however the name is still the 23rd most common one in the country. Norway also sees a significant number of people with the surname, coming in at just over 30,000 individuals.
Outside of Northern Europe, the surname Jens is particularly common among German immigrants in the United States and Canada. The name is also present among Dutch-speaking communities in South Africa, as well as formed part of the traditional family name in East Frisian villages in Germany.
The last name is also occasionally present in other parts of Europe, including France, Poland, and Lithuania.
Variations of the surname Jens
The surname Jens is commonly found throughout Europe and is a German, Scandinavian, and Dutch name. Variants of the name include Jensen, Jensson, Janssen, Janson, Johannsen, Jochimsen, Jahnsen, and Jenzen.
In Germany and Scandinavia, Jens is derived from the Hebrew name Yohanan, while in Dutch the surname comes from the form of Johannes. This name is sometimes spelled in other languages as Johannes, Joundedaches, Jondesonen, or Jonaesen.
The surname Jens is also known to be Anglicized versions of the names Iain, Euron, Eanraig, and Einride. These spellings are often found in Scotland, Wales and Ireland.
In the United States, Jens can be found as Jennifer and Jennings. And in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Canada, Jens is spelled Gene or Genes.
Jensen and Janssen are the most common variants of the name Jens. Jensen, in its various spellings, is the 18th most common surname in Denmark, 11th most common in Norway, and the 41st most common surname in the United States. Janssen is the 8th most common surname in The Netherlands.
The surname Jens is derived from the Greek word ‘Yohannes’ which means ‘God is gracious'. This meaning of this name has also carried over into many of the variants. Therefore, it is clear that the surname Jens is one that is shared by a wide variety of different European nations and having a number of different spellings and variants.
Famous people with the name Jens
- Lene Nystrøm: Danish singer who is best known as the lead vocalist of the Danish eurodance group Aqua.
- Petter Northug Jr.: Norwegian professional cross-country skier who won a total of 14 medals in the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships.
- Dennis Jenssen: Danish professional footballer who currently plays for Danish club Brøndby IF as a midfielder.
- Thomas Jens: German bobsleigh pilot, World Cup winner and Olympic gold medallist.
- Peter Jens: Danish former professional footballer and current manager of Swedish club Örgryte IS.
- Bo Jens: Danish professional footballer who currently plays for Danish club Næstved IF as a striker.
- Birgit Jens: Danish long-distance runner and Olympic bronze medallist.
- Morten Jens: Danish former international football player who made 100 appearances in the Danish Superliga.
- Jill Jens: American Olympic gold medallist in softball.
- Martin Jens: German professional footballer who currently plays for German club VfL Bochum as a forward.