Surname Janz - Meaning and Origin
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iGENEA DNA Test: A Soul-Stirring Journey through the Janz Family Lineage
Engaging with iGENEA's DNA test was an emotional rollercoaster ride that offered fascinating insights into my lineage and the history attached to the surname Janz. It ignited a newfound appreciation for my family and encouraged me to dive deeper into genealogical research.
E. Janz
read moreJanz: What does the surname Janz mean?
The last name Janz is of German origin and is derived from a biblical name for John. Janz began to spread as a surname in the 13th century with people of the Jewish faith. Janz comes from the Hebrew name Yohan, meaning "God is gracious."
The Janz family originally came from the Prussian region in Germany. They would have been among the first settlers of the area. The Janz family name served as a symbol of pride and endurance during good and bad times.
The oldest recorded mention of the name Janz was in 1281, when a family by that name were granted land in Magdeburg. It is likely that the family could trace its roots all the way back to the Middle Ages.
The common spelling of Janz appears to be the one that has been used for centuries. This spelling has been adopted by many other families with a Germanic or Jewish background.
Today, Janz is a fairly common surname in Germany, but is also found in France, Austria, United States, Canada, Switzerland, Netherlands, and other countries. Janz families in America often originate from Germany or Eastern Europe.
Janz can mean many things. It can signify a family history and heritage, a deep connection to your faith and history, and a great pride of your family’s accomplishments.
Order DNA origin analysisJanz: Where does the name Janz come from?
The last name Janz is primarily found in Germany, with significant populations in both the former East and West Germany. In the United States, the name is most commonly found in the Midwest, particularly throughout Wisconsin and counties of Minnesota bordering the state. It is also found in small numbers in California and the District of Columbia.
Outside the US, the name is also found in England, Canada, South Africa, and many other European countries including Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Russia, and Spain.
The coat of arms for the Janz family includes three dark waterfowl, a symbol of watchfulness. The name is derived from the German terms 'Jan' meaning 'God is gracious' and 'sen' meaning 'son of.' Interestingly, the name is sometimes spelled 'Yance' in countries such as Finland, Switzerland, and Russia.
Overall, the last name Janz is likely to be relatively common in former East and West Germany, Germany's neighboring countries, and select counties in the US Midwest. Although it is not a particularly widespread name globally, it has been popular in certain regions since the late 1800s.
Variations of the surname Janz
The surname Janz has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The variants of Janz include Janzs, Janzes, Janzce, Janzee, Janzse, Janzsy, Janzc, Janzski, and Janzyk.
The spelling variations of Janz include Janz, Jansk, Jance, Janca, Jancs, Jancz, Janice, Janiz, Janizy, Janic, Janick, and Janicz.
The surnames of the same origin as Janz include Janczak, Jancke, Jancek, Janczyk, Janczewski, Jancevich, Jancarek, Jancev, Jancasa, Jancarik, Janczura, Jancar, Jance, Janick, and Janicz.
Janz is believed to be a shortened version of the Polish surname Janczak. The Polish ending -ak is thought to refer to a farmsite or a family living near a farm or smallholding. This surname was likely first used in the Polish region of Galicia, which is now a tribute to the Ukraine.
Janczak is the name of a large group of people living mainly in the areas of north-eastern Poland and western Belarus. The name is believed to have been used as far back as the 13th century and is thought to derive from a local field name or farm name.
The German spelling of Janz is Jantz and is a form of the surname Janssen. This name was likely created by combining the personal names Johannes and Arnoldus. This name was used as a patronymic or a hereditary surname given to a person based on the name of their father. It was mainly used in small towns or villages in Germany and Norway, as well as in some parts of the former Czechoslovakia.
Famous people with the name Janz
- Derek Janz: Canadian politician who currently serves as the Member of Parliament for the riding of Carleton in Ottawa, Ontario.
- Lucas Janz: Canadian professional soccer player for Canadian Premier League's Pacific FC.
- Craig Janz: Football coach who is the current head coach of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League.
- Matt Janz: Canadian businessman and former chair of the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League.
- furiousfotog (Rob Janz): Canadian photographer from Toronto who specializes in music photography.
- Ingrid Janz: Swiss television presenter, TV producer and Swiss Radio and Television organiser.
- Fire Angelou (Alex Janz): Canadian rapper, producer and vocalist from the Niagara area.
- Meophone (Will Janz): American-Canadian dubstep artist from Vancouver, British Columbia.
- Andrew Janz: American politician from California who was a candidate for the United States House of Representatives in the 2018 elections.
- Rachel Janz: Canadian-born American actress best known for her roles in American Pie Presents: Band Camp (2005) and Blood Relatives (2012).