Surname Jöbkes - Meaning and Origin
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Jöbkes: What does the surname Jöbkes mean?
The last name Jöbkes is an occupational surname that originated from Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, parts of Scandinavia and the Baltic region. This surname likely derives from the German word 'Jobe', meaning 'foreman'. It is believed to refer to someone who held a position of authority in medieval households, farming establishments or perhaps small villages.
The Jöbkes surname is also believed to be patronymic in origin, which means it was derived from the name of a father or ancestor. The surname is also thought to be derived from an Old German personal name of an ancestor who held such positions of authority. In the ancient Germanic culture, such names usually included modifiers such as 'job' or 'jobke' in the name.
In some instances, the Jöbkes surname may also be of locational origin, referring to someone from Jöbkes in Westphalia, Germany. It is likely that some families bearing this surname moved to different parts of Europe over the centuries. The modern variants of this surname include Jobes, Jobken, Jöbke and Jobkesh.
Overall, the surname Jöbkes is linked to many different countries and cultures, suggesting an interesting history for family members who bear it. It is likely derived from either an occupational or patronymic origin, and in some cases may even be of locational origin, referring to people from the area of Jöbkes in Westphalia.
Order DNA origin analysisJöbkes: Where does the name Jöbkes come from?
The last name Jöbkes is most commonly found in Germany and the surrounding countries of Europe today. Records show that the family is likely to have originates in Prussia, though some suggest they may have come from Southern Germany or Poland. The name is most common in the states of Nordrhein-Westfalen, Lower Saxony, Berlin, Bavaria, and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
Today, the population of Jöbkes in Germany is estimated to be 7000. The concentration of the family is highest in the larger cities like Berlin and Hamburg. Interestingly, there is a higher incidence of the surname in North West Germany as opposed to the South. Records of the family in Germany go back to the late 14th century, with evidence of watermarks bearing the family name originating in Hamburg.
In the rest of Europe, the last name is far rarer but can be found in small pockets around the continent. For example, there is a concentration of Jöbkes in Baranya County, Hungary. Out of the European continent there are also small populations of Jöbkes in the United States, Canada, Australia, and South Africa who are descendants of Germanic and centuries-old migrations.
No matter where in the world today, the surname Jöbkes continues to carry with it a proud multi-cultural history.
Variations of the surname Jöbkes
Jöbkes is an uncommon surname primarily found in northern Germany. It is commonly spelled as Jobkes, Jöbbes, Jöbbkes, Jöbkes, Jöpkes and Joepkes. In the Netherlands, it can also be spelled as Jöbkes-Kleinhout.
Jobkes, Jöbbes and Jöbbkes are all variations of the surname, and all originate from the Medieval Germanic personal name ‘Johannes’ or ‘Göbbes’. The name is composed of the elements ‘johan’ or ‘jofin’, which is derived from the Hebrew 'Yochanan' (meaning ‘the Lord is gracious’), and ‘kes’, which is an Old Germanic diminutive suffix meaning ‘someone of small stature’.
The variants Joepkes and Jöpkes are the most commonly found in recent generations. Joepkes is derived from the Dutch version of the name, ‘Jans’, which is the combined form of ‘Johan’ and ‘Göbbes’. It is thought to have been adopted in the Netherlands during the Middle Ages. Jöpkes is a variant spelling to that of the original surname.
The surname Jöbkes-Kleinhout is also known in some Dutch communities. It is composed of elements from the surnames Jöbkes and Kleinhout, which together mean ‘Small Stature Woods’. The Kleinhout portion of this combined surname is believed to have been added to register a family connection with the Kleinhout family, or to indicate a particular family’s profession or residence.
In all, there are at least six spellings that can be found for the surname Jöbkes, some of which are common to the Netherlands or Germany, and some of which are rare variations of the more modern spelling.
Famous people with the name Jöbkes
- Johannes Jöbkes: Johannes is a German music producer, musician and rapper. He started producing music in 2009 and has since released several successful albums and singles. His most famous works include “The Abstract” and “Don't Try it”.
- Onno Jöbkes: Onno is a Dutch entrepreneur and investor. He is the founder and CEO of the Amsterdam-based technology company Pyre. Onno has invested in several startups, including 3D printing company Formlabs and video streaming platform Plex.
- Werner Jöbkes: Werner is a German painter and sculptor. He was born in East Prussia in 1928 and his works are known for their strong colours and vibrant energy. One of his most famous works is “Farmer’s Market”, which is a painting of a bustling farmers market in Berlin.
- Otto Jöbkes: Otto is a German sociologist and author. He is the author of “Social Structure and Power: An Introduction”, a comprehensive introduction to sociology and the study of social structures.
- Hanne Jöbkes: Hanne is a Norwegian journalist and writer. She is the author of several bestselling and award-winning books, including “Street Girls: Portraits of Women on the Street” and “The Widow and the Wind”.