Surname Josling - Meaning and Origin

Josling: What does the surname Josling mean?

The surname Josling is of English origin but its exact meaning is not definitively known as it can be attached to various roots based on geographical styles and phonetic variations. Some genealogical researches suggest it could be derived from an early medieval English personal name, which is a diminutive of 'Joy', implying this could be a patronymic surname. Alternatively, it may be locational, from certain places in England. However, like many surnames, over the centuries it can undergo many spelling changes, adding to the difficulty of tracing its exact derivation. Some of the variations of Josling include Joslin, Josselyn, Joscelyn, and many more. Notably, the family motto "Sans Dieu Rien" translates to "Without God, Nothing" signifying a family lineage of strong faith. It must be noted that surname meanings can often be complex, influenced by various factors such as regional dialects, invasions, societal class, and occupation. Therefore, establishing a concrete singular meaning can be challenging. Conducting a thorough genealogical research one might be able to develop a more personalized understanding of the surname.

Josling: Where does the name Josling come from?

The surname Josling is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from an Old Norse personal name, Goscelin or Joscelin. It was common in the pre 7th Century and was brought to England by the Norman Conquistadors during the era of Duke William of Normandy. Afterward, this name was adopted to various forms like Jocelin, Joscelin, Gozlin, Josling, Gascoyne, Gascoin, and others, due to its extensive popularity. This name is patronymic, referring to "son of Gocelin". It is a rare last name with limited distribution, most commonly found today in England and to a lesser extent in Australia, Canada, and the United States.

Variations of the surname Josling

The surname Josling has multiple variants and spellings, as it's typical with many English and European surnames due to different dialects and interpretations over centuries. Some of the variants and spellings of Josling include Joslin, Joselyn, Joselin, Joslyn, Joslen, Josselyn, Jocelyn, Josselin, and Joscelin.

The surname Josling reportedly originated from an Old German personal name 'Gauzlin', itself derived from a diminutive of 'gauz', meaning goth. Furthermore, the name also links with a place in Northern France named Jocelyn. The 'lin' or 'lyn' endings in Old English and Old French sometimes indicated a diminutive or endearing form, hence "Joslin" or "Jocelyn" may have initially indicated "little Goth".

There are a variety of surnames that could potentially stem from the same origin. These include Jocelins, Joslyns, Jocelyns, Gauzlins, and others that share certain linguistic or thematic similarities. However, it should be noted that surname origins can be intricate, and determining a definitive common source often requires thorough genealogical and linguistic analysis.

Famous people with the name Josling

• Ben Josling: British actor who has starred in films such as London Boulevard and Treats.
• Jessie Josling: British actress and singer, best known for her starring roles in A Matter of Life and Death, Call Me By Your Name, and The Lobster.
• Sir Ian Josling: British barrister, historian, and author of a number of books on English legal history and law.
• John Josling: English composer, best known for his work on the film The King's Speech.
• Betsy Josling: American actress who has appeared in film and television, most recently in the NBC drama This Is Us.
• Claire Josling: Irish entrepreneur and author of the book The Power of Passion: Unleash Your Real-World Dreams.
• David Josling: American politician from Maine who served in both the state House of Representatives and Senate.
• George Josling: English fencer, most notably appearing in 1984 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles, finishing 11th overall.
• Babydoll Josling: British-American singer-songwriter, whose breakout single "All Together Now" was a top ten hit in both the U.S. and the U.K.
• Steve Josling: British television presenter, best known for hosting the game show Sundae.

Other surnames

Joslin