Surname Jodzunas - Meaning and Origin
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Jodzunas: What does the surname Jodzunas mean?
The last name Jodzunas has a long and varied history in Eastern European countries such as Lithuania and Poland. It is thought to be derived from the Old Slavic phrase "jesti zunas," which translates to something along the lines of "edible hares." This could either refer to hunting or to an early form of farming, suggesting that Jodzunas was an old occupation-based surname.
In the 16th century, the Jodzunas family was prominent in Lithuania, and records show that the family owned several large estates. Family members also took on various positions of power within the Catholic Church, one of which was held by the Bishop of Vilnius from 1583 to 1595.
The Jodzunas surname has continued to thrive since then. Over the centuries, it has spread across Central Europe and to other countries around the world. Today, the Jodzunas family is a prominent figure in the Lithuanian and international communities.
The Jodzunas name isn't only popular among people of Lithuanian and Polish descent. Many people have adopted the surname as a tribute to their ancestry or as a way to honour their cultural heritage. The Jodzunas name is a reminder of a rich and varied past, and the family it belongs to has become a symbol of strength and resilience over time.
Order DNA origin analysisJodzunas: Where does the name Jodzunas come from?
The last name Jodzunas is most commonly found in Lithuania, where the name originates from. It is thought to derive from a personal name, with the suffix -unas functioning as a patronymic, hence making Jodzunas a type of surname.
Jodzunas is also found in the United States among Lithuanian descendants. The earliest record of the name in the US is in 1885, when John Jodzunas settled in Conneaut, Ohio. In a 1930 US Census, records show him living with his wife and three children. During the twentieth century, many people with the Jodzunas surname immigrated from Lithuania to the US.
Today, there are still families bearing the Jodzunas name in the US, particularly in the Midwest and East Coast. Some now live as far away as Canada and Australia. While the last name is still present, it appears to be a rather uncommon one. According to the US Census, there are only 315 people bearing the surname Jodzunas living in the United States. The estimated global population bearing the name is just 551 people.
Despite its rarity, the Jodzunas name is still around and held by people around the world. It serves as a reminder of the family's heritage, and it's also a great conversation starter!
Variations of the surname Jodzunas
The surname Jodzunas has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Jodzio, Jodziunas, Jodziuonis, Jodzinas, Jodzys, Jodzanskis, Jodzukevicius, Jodzevicius, Jodzierna, Jodzis, Jodzies, and Jodzuks.
The Lithuanian surname Jodzunas is derived from the given name Jodzio, which is a diminutive form of the masculin name Jodzius. The personal name Jodzius is a derivative of the Latin name Jodocus and Old Polish name Jodek, which both have their origin in theilo iean name Jordan.
In Lithuania and other countries of Eastern Europe, the surname Jodzunas had a wide range of derivatives and spellings due to the difficulty of spelling and the lack of fixed spelling rules. Variants such as Jodzio, Jodziunas, and Jodziuonis, were all derived from the Lithuanian personal name Jodzius, however with different endings and spelling it.
Other variants of the Jodzunas surname originated in Lithuanian villages such as Jodzskis, Jodzukevicius and Jodzevicius, being derived from the name of the village Jodzys or Jodzuks. A few variants, such as Jodzie and Jodzierna were adapted from the Polish language variants of Jodzek.
Therefore, there are several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Jodzunas that are spread across Lithuania and other Eastern European countries, with each of them having unique roots and story.
Famous people with the name Jodzunas
- Kristina Jodzunas: Lithuanian actor, screenplay writer, and model.
- Allison Jodzunas: an American writer, comedian, and actress.
- Nicolas Jodzunas: a French rower and Olympic champion.
- Antanas Jodzunas: a famous Lithuanian painter.
- Vytautas Jodzunas: a Lithuanian musician and composer.
- Teodora Jodzunas: a Slovenian actress.
- Jiuluna Jodzunas: a famous Polish model.
- Darius Jodzunas: leading Lithuanian playwright and former director of the Lithuanian National Drama Theatre.
- Rasa Jodzunas: an American dancer and performance artist.
- Vidmantas Jodzunas: a Lithuanian scientist, doctor, and professor.