Surname Jouse - Meaning and Origin
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Jouse: What does the surname Jouse mean?
The last name Jouse is an old surname originating in European countries such as Germany, France, and the Netherlands. This surname is thought to have derived from the Latin word “jovialis”, which means “full of joy” or “happy”, implying that someone with the name Jouse likely possessed an uplifting attitude and spirit.
Jouse is thought to have originally been an occupational surname derived from people who were jesters or even a “clown” in the olden days in those European countries.
The word jouse is a derivative of the German word “gau,” which has many different definitions, including the jesting activity observed in a court. This is why people with the surname Jouse were likely thought of as performers in the medieval times, drawing upon their natural talent to entertain the kings and queens in a humorous way.
Additionally, the surname Jouse also became a surname borne by people who were masters of the harp or lute instrument. Historically, the French surname Jouse became associated with the “jouy” a breed of goat which was known for it’s continuously festive and cheery mannerisms.
In modern times, the surname Jouse is still present in many countries, but has shifted away from its original association with mastery in jesting. Today, people with the surname Jouse are likely to be characterized by their funny, cheerful, and positive demeanors, even when the situation around them becomes difficult.
Order DNA origin analysisJouse: Where does the name Jouse come from?
The last name Jouse is not a particularly common name today. It appears to have originated in what is now modern-day Germany, likely during the 1700s or early 1800s. Since then, it appears to have spread to other countries and regions. For example, looking at Jouse households in the United States during the 2020 Census, it's most popular in the states of Iowa and Illinois, but it also appears in significant numbers in the states of Indiana, Arkansas, and Missouri.
The name also appears in other countries around the world. In the United Kingdom, most Jouse households are located in Scotland and England. In Australia, most Jouse households appear in New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland. Jouse households also appear in Canada, Denmark, Norway, Belgium, Brazil, and South Africa.
Overall, this name appears to be more common in certain regions of the world, but it is still quite rare. We can speculate that this name is likely derived from a variation of the German name Jost, or even a regional German dialect pronunciation.
Variations of the surname Jouse
The surname Jouse has a number of possible variants and spellings, as well as associated surnames of a similar origin.
The most likely variant of Jouse is Jaus. This surname can also be spelled as Jauss, Jawes, Jaws, Jause, and Joos. The phonetic spelling of Jouse, Jouce might also be encountered.
In terms of closely related surnames, Jouak is a common derivation of Jouse, as well as Joos, Joukes, Jouckes, Jouks and Joeks. These variations, ending in either 'es' or 'ks', originate in the Low German root 'Jouko'.
The diminutive of Jouse is Joussa, and a putative Dunbar-Jouse-Levasseur combinations stands as an example of the sometimes convoluted ancestry of this widespread surname.
A number of these variations, such as Jause, Jawes and Jouak, can also be found as personalnames, appearing in documents as far back as the 16th century.
Despite the numerous variations of Jouse, the origin of the surname has largely remained the same. Derived from the Low German word 'Jouser', meaning 'to move', the name is believed to have been an occupational name for a leader of people who moved, such as a migratory group.
Famous people with the name Jouse
- Angela Jones: American actress and singer
- Matt Jones: British actor
- Omar Jones: American actor
- Carolina Jones: Spanish actress
- Grayson Jones: American actor
- Mark Jones: American filmmaker
- Khari Jones: former American and Canadian football player
- Max Jones: former English footballer
- Paula Jones: American civil rights activist
- Rhiannon Jones: American television actress
- Reginald Jones: former American football player
- Derick Jones: American R&B singer
- Sarah Jones: American actress
- Jona Jones: American actress
- Esther Jones: American actress
- Ida Jones: American actress
- Gwen Jones: British actress
- Robert Jones: British actor
- Yvonne Jones: American actress
- Shauna Jones: American actress