Surname Jankuhn - Meaning and Origin

Jankuhn: What does the surname Jankuhn mean?

The last name Jankuhn is of German origin and comes from the Middle High German “janc” meaning “creature, beast”. It was thought to be a surname given to an animal-like individual. It is believed to have been used as an occupational name, given to those who reared or hunted wild animals.

The name is also protective in nature, as it could refer to a parent protecting a child from harm. It is a very rare name, but can still be found all over Germany. Immigrants bearing this name have been found in the US in the late 1800s, and today it is found mostly across the Midwest, particularly in the states of Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana.

Over the centuries, this name has evolved and several variations have emerged, including Jankuhne, Jankuhnem, Jankuhnen, Jankuhneh, Jankuhnef, Jankuhnik, Jankuhna, and Jankuhney. These have been linked to location-specific origins, such as in Eastern Germany, and other countries such as England, Scotland, Sweden, and Norway.

In modern times, the name Jankuhn is still a bit of a mystery and an uncommon find. Regardless of its origin and history, it is still an interesting surname.

Jankuhn: Where does the name Jankuhn come from?

The last name Jankuhn is mostly concentrated in the German speaking regions of Europe, particularly in Germany and Austria. It can also be found in other countries with connections to German speaking communities, such as Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. It is also present in the United States, Canada, and other countries around the world with significant German immigration.

In Germany itself, Jankuhn is especially common in the state of Saxony but can also be found in other regions such as Pomerania, East Prussia, and even the Rhineland. According to recent population data, it is one of the 50 most common names in Germany.

In Austria, Jankuhn is most commonly found in Vienna and Lower Austria as well as in Burgenland. According to genealogy records, it is estimated that Jankuhn is one of the 200 most common surnames in the country.

In the United States, Jankuhn is most focused in the Midwest, particularly in Wisconsin and Michigan which both have long histories of German immigration. However, it is also found across the country, particularly in states like New York and Pennsylvania.

Overall, Jankuhn is a common surname, especially around German-speaking countries. It is a testament to the legacy of German immigrants around the world and continues to be a strong presence today.

Variations of the surname Jankuhn

The surname Jankuhn is a German and Dutch occupational surname that originates from the Middle Low German verb for “to do” or “to carry out”. Other variants of Jankuhn include its Dutch spelling, Jankunen, and its German spelling, Jankehn.

The surname is also known to exist in other German-speaking and Low Countries as well. In Germany, the surname is spelled Jänchen and the surname Jenke or Jenken is also known to exist. In Belgium and The Netherlands, regional versions of Jankuhn include Jankunen, Jannink, Jannen, Jannink and Janninken. There have also been recorded variations in Liechtenstein, such as Jankim, Jankam, Jankom, and Jankam.

The variants of Jankuhn can also be broken down further by introducing additional syllables, such as Jankuhnen, Jankuhning, Jankuhningen and Jankuhnung, as well as creating diminutives, such as Jenk, Janke, Jankel, Jankell, Jankelle and Janklein.

Finally, as is often the case with surnames of Low German origins, other surnames such as Janning, Janzing and Jan(g)sen are also known to exist, thought to be variations that either emerged as a result of phonetic spelling or as the surname was re-anglicised during migration to other countries.

In conclusion, the variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Jankuhn are extensive, with many regional differences across Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium and Liechtenstein. Despite the many variations that exist, the surname likely originated from the Middle Low German verb for “to do” or “to carry out” and all variations of it are likely derivatives of this verb.

Famous people with the name Jankuhn

• Mark Jankuhn: A former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Toronto Blue Jays and the Chicago White Sox in 1995 and 1996.
• Detlef Jankuhn: An archaeologist and professor emeritus at the University of Göttingen in Germany who specialized in Germanic paganism and German prehistory.
• Helga Jankuhn: An East German defending midfielder who won both the East and Unified German Women’s Football Championships.
• Gary Jankuhn: The head coach at the US Air Force Academy from 2007-2015 and is currently the offensive coordinator at Colorado State University.
• Natacha Jankuhn: A Swiss-American film producer best known for the hit films Oceans 13 and Mr. & Mrs. Smith.
• Paul Jankuhn: A Christian music composer and publisher from Germany who has written several operas and ballets.
• Mike Jankuhn: A long-time rock and roll guitarist from Connecticut who has played with bands like Radio faithless and the Moondogs.
• Hubert Jankuhn: A German sociologist and philosopher who has written extensively about the importance of local traditions and identities.
• Joe Jankuhn: An independent folk musician and songwriter from Fort Collins, Colorado, whose music has been featured in movies and television shows.
• Gerhard Jankuhn: A former West German football defender who was capped several times for his national team and played at the 1956 Summer Olympics.

Other surnames

JankunJankunasJankus