Surname Johenning - Meaning and Origin
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Johenning: What does the surname Johenning mean?
The last name Johenning is of German origin and was derived from the personal name Johann. It is likely a variant spelling of Johannings or Johannissen, patronymic surnames derived from the first name Johann, which means "God is gracious". The name Johann was brought to England from the Latin Iohannes and was particularly popular during the Middle Ages and subsequently spread to other parts of Europe. From these early beginnings, the surname Johenning has become widespread throughout Germany.
Inscriptions of the surname in the German region are numerous, suggesting that it is firmly established there. It can be found in the form Johannings and Johannissen as well as Johenning and Johning. The suffix -ing indicates a connection to a much older language and originally would have indicated a family group or clan, though it has come to be used simply as a patronymic suffix.
Today, the surname Johenning is common in many countries including Germany, Netherlands, France, United States, Australia, and Canada. It is also a popular choice among German-American families who are looking to preserve their heritage. It is likely that individuals with this last name have ancestral roots in Germany and the Netherlands.
Order DNA origin analysisJohenning: Where does the name Johenning come from?
The last name Johenning is most commonly found in Germany and the United States. In Germany, it is very common in the north and northwest. In the US, it is most commonly seen in the Midwest, primarily in the states of Minnesota and Wisconsin.
In Germany, the origin of the name is likely linked to the Norse word "halling" which means "cliff". This could be a reference to someone who lived in a high place, on the edge of a cliff for example. The addition of the "Jo" in the front of the name makes it a patronymic, meaning it’s derived from the name of the bearer’s father.
In the US, Johenning seems to be an Americanized spelling of the name Johannsen, a German-Nordic surname that is derived from the biblical name "Johannes". It likely entered the US as an immigrant name in the late 19th century, and was adopted by many descendants of German-Nordic settlers, primarily in the Midwest.
Today, Johenning remains a common family name in both Germany and the US, though the spelling may have changed slightly from its original form due to changing immigration patterns and cultural influences.
Variations of the surname Johenning
The surname Johenning can be spelled and interpreted in a variety of ways due to its Germanic origin. Variants include Joening, Johoenning, Johannning, Johenig, Johaning, Johning and Johnig. Additional surnames of the same origin include, but are not limited to, Jochim, Jochims, Johe, Joheim, Johannes, Johannesen, Johanson, Johansson, Johanssen, Jöhnke, Jönk, Jönkel, Jonker, Junger, Jungermann, and Junghans.
The first recorded form of the surname Johenning dates back to 16th-century Germany. As Germany was predominantly Roman Catholic during this time, Johennings were likely to have been followers of the faith. The earliest records pertaining to the spelling of the surname come from the Rhineland-Palatinate region, which includes the states of Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, and Hesse in western and southwest Germany. While many localities in the Rhineland-Palatinate bear the surname, it is more commonly found in the cities of Rheinberg, Bad Dürkheim, and Ludwigshafen.
As Germany expanded and immigration increased, so did the number of people bearing the surname Johenning. This led the surname Johenning to spread across the globe. Today individuals bearing the same last name can be found in numerous countries including, but not limited to, Germany, the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
In conclusion, the Johenning surname can be found in a variety of spellings, variants, and surnames of the same origin. The earliest records of the name can be found in the 16th century in the Rhineland-Palatinate region of Germany, but due to worldwide immigration and migration, it is now found around the globe.
Famous people with the name Johenning
- Gary Johenning, an American television writer and producer best known for his work on The Singing Detective and Frasier.
- Marie Johenning, a German opera singer and actress.
- Adolf Johenning, a German electrical engineer and inventor who founded the iconic Siemens company.
- Leonard Johenning, a German composer of Baroque music and court administrator.
- Isnette Johenning, an American artist and reclusive philanthropist.
- John Johenning, an American movie actor and producer.
- Kim Johenning, a Canadian actress and singer known for her roles in The Sound of Music and Grease.
- Elsy Johenning, a Dutch film director and producer known for her work on films such as The Vanishing and Chocolat.
- Nikolaus Johenning, a German industrialist and businessman who served as a board member at luxurious companies like Lufthansa and Bosch.
- Inge Johenning, a German amateur tennis player who competed at the 1964 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo.