Surname Papenjohann - Meaning and Origin
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Papenjohann: What does the surname Papenjohann mean?
The last name Papenjohann is an Anglicized form of the German name Papenjohn. It is derived from the Old Germanic personal name Pap, which means 'father', and Johan, which means 'God is gracious'. Together, Papenjohann translates to 'fathers of grace'. The name Papenjohn has been recorded in German records as far back as the mid-1400s, with the first recorded bearer being Johannes Papenjohn of Frankfurt am Main in 1463.
Papenjohn and Papenjohann are fairly uncommon throughout Europe, and are thought to have originated in northern Germany. Despite its rarity, it is estimated that over 25,000 people worldwide are now estimated to bear the surname. As of 2020, the highest concentration of Papenjohann's is present in the United States, and many are thought to be descendants of German immigrants who arrived in the country in the late 19th century.
Apart from its origins, there is very little known about the Papenjohann family, although it is clear from its present-day presence that the surname is alive and well. Those who bear the name are likely to be proud to carry on this ancient tradition of ‘fathers of grace’ and in honouring the Papaenjohn legacy.
Order DNA origin analysisPapenjohann: Where does the name Papenjohann come from?
The last name Papenjohann is most commonly found in Germany today. Its prevalence is highest in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony. It is also found in some of the surrounding countries, including Austria, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg.
The origin of the Papenjohann surname is not known with certainty but some believe it originated in the area of Lower Franconia, located in Bavaria. This is based on the shared use a of the same root surname - "Papen" or "Papenmeier" - by several families in the area.
It is believed that the Papenjohann surname developed from a nickname derived from the early owners of the property. This nickname was composed of the syllables 'Papen' meaning 'priest' and 'johann' meaning 'John' in English. Hence the original name would have been "Priest John".
The percentage of this surname in North Rhine-Westphalia is 2.06%, and 0.12% in Lower Saxony. Papenjohann is a rare surname and the genealogical traces of certain individuals bearing the name have been lost. A few of these families have kept records of their ancestry and some even have information on their emigration from Germany at the end of the nineteenth century.
The last name Papenjohann is still found in large numbers in some parts of Germany today, and there is even a papenjohann.de website, maintained by a Papenjohann descendant, which offers information on the origins and history of the Papenjohann family.
Variations of the surname Papenjohann
Papenjohann is a German surname meaning "hill of the Johanns." This particular surname is quite rare, but has a few variations of spelling. The variants of Papenjohann include Papenjohans, Papenjohanns, Papenjohns, Papejohns, Papejohans, Papejohanns, Papejohanness, and Papejonns.
Surnames that are descended from the same origin as Papenjohann are Papen, Papener, Papenerth, Papenkapel, Papenknoll, Papenschuse, Papensteede, Papensteen, Poppen, Piffer, Pifferhoff, Piff, Pifferoth, and Pifferhahn. All of these surnames with the same origin can be found within the larger German population.
Some variants of the Papenjohann surname that are found outside of Germany are Paffen, Poffen, Poffehn, Popen, Poppen, Popham, and Popenhausen. These variations can be found in countries such as the United States and Canada, where large numbers of German immigrants have settled over the years.
The Papenjohann surname is a unique one, and its various spellings and variants illustrate how surnames can change over the centuries to represent different regional variants and language influences. With a slight change in spelling the same original surname can have multiple meanings and be associated with different parts of the world.
Famous people with the name Papenjohann
- Jo Papenjohann: German Olympic athlete who competed in sprint events and participated in the 1948 London Olympics where he placed 11th in the 400 m race.
- Fred Papenjohann: Former Canadian professional football player and coach who was a five-time Grey Cup champion.
- Carolin Papenjohann: German model and blogger who writes about beauty, fashion, lifestyle, and motherhood.
- Albert Papenjohann: German actor and film director who has directed several television films and series for ZDF.
- Alexander Papenjohann: German composer, conductor, and multi-instrumentalist who has worked on more than 15 films.
- Silke Papenjohann: German costume and set designer who has worked on several films, television series, and awards shows.
- Helga Papenjohann: German actress who has appeared in films considering she was first casted in a small part for the 1964 romantic drama “The Glass Moon.”
- Christian Papenjohann: German philosopher, liturgist and a former professor of systematic theology and spirit at the Ecumenical Institute of Bossey at the University of Geneva.
- Claudia Papenjohann: German editor, producer, director, playwright, and journalist who works for radio, television, and the theater.
- Johannes Papenjohann: German tennis player who was a highly rated junior in the early 1990s.