Surname Jankofski - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'J'
Jankofski: What does the surname Jankofski mean?
The last name Jankofski is of Slavic origin and is derived from the name Jan. It is most commonly found in German-speaking countries, such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, as well as in Poland. It is also known to have spread to other countries with strong German influences, such as the United States.
The literal meaning of this name is "son of Jan", where Jan derives from the Hebrew name Yohanan, meaning “God is gracious” or “given by God”. Its spelling variations range from Jankowski and Jankowsky to Jankofsky and Jankovy.
Throughout its history, the Jankofski surname has been associated with the nobility of the eras. German and Polish families used this name as a symbol of high social standing and wealth.
Regardless of its past, today the Jankofski surname has become commonplace throughout central Europe, with its bearers having diverse backgrounds and professional fields. Additionally, many American families have adopted this name in present times, showing the name’s diversity among countries and cultures.
Order DNA origin analysisJankofski: Where does the name Jankofski come from?
The last name Jankofski is believed to have originated in Poland and is now most commonly found in the United States and parts of Canada. From there, Jankofski families have immigrated to a variety of locations around the world.
In the United States, people with the surname Jankofski are primarily found in the Midwest (around Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota). The highest concentration of people with this last name is located in the Chicago area. Jankofskis have also been identified in various other regions, including the Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania.
Many Jankofski families have traveled to the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. There are also Jankofskis found in Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic.
The surname Jankofski is also relatively common in certain parts of South America, specifically Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Uruguay.
The name can be found in several areas of Asia, such as Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, India, and Pakistan.
Thus, the last name Jankofski can now be found in many countries and continents around the world. Due to immigration, Jankofski families have spread out, but people with this surname still remain most heavily concentrated in the Midwest United States.
Variations of the surname Jankofski
The surname Jankofski has a variety of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Some of the most common variants and spellings include Jancofski, Jancowski, Jankofska, and Jankowski. These variations can be found in a multitude of countries, including Poland, Germany, and Russia.
The surname is quite common in Poland, where the spelling is most often Jankowski. This spelling is derived from the Polish word “Janko”, which means “John”. The suffix “-owski” is a patronymic designation often used in Polish-speaking countries, and is often translated to mean “son of” in English. It is a common ending for many Polish surnames.
In Germany, the surname is spelled Jancowski, which is derived from the Slavic word “Janko”, through the Germanic variation of the same spelling. The suffix “-owski” is also used in the German variant, although its meaning is slightly different than in Polish, indicating “place of” rather than “son of”.
In Russia, the variation of Jankofski is found alongside the transcribed formatting of Jankofska. This variant is also derived from the Slavic root word “Janko”, and is believed to be a Russian interpretation of the name as well as an acknowledgement of its Polish roots.
Overall, the surname Jankofski is an incredibly varied and widespread name, with multiple variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. It is most widely seen in Poland, Germany, and Russia, where its meaning and spelling can be easily recognized and understood.
Famous people with the name Jankofski
- Jakub Jankowski: Polish volleyball player
- Rose Jankofsky: American author
- Tom Jankofsky: former President of the National Basketball Retired Players Association
- Richard Jankofsky: American film editor
- Monica Jankofsky: actress, director and writer
- David Jankofsky: musician
- Sergey Jankofski: Russian composer
- Shane Jankofsky: American volleyball player
- Jake Jankofsky: former American football player
- Jose Andres Jankofski: professional basketball player