Surname Jansen - Meaning and Origin
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Unravelling the Ancestral Tapestry of the Jansen Family with the iGENEA DNA Test
Decoding the ancestry of the Jansen family through an iGENEA DNA test was an enriching experience, revealing deep historical roots and a widespread geographical lineage. The test, tracing both maternal and paternal lines, connected the present to a lineage that reaches back to the first farmers of Western Europe.
U. Jansen
read moreJansen: What does the surname Jansen mean?
Jansen is a Dutch surname, common in the Netherlands and Belgium. It denotes "son of Jan", which is similar to the English naming tradition of "Johnson". The name Jan is a Dutch variation of John, which is derived from the Hebrew name Yohanan, meaning 'graced by God' or 'God is gracious.' Therefore, Jansen indirectly carries the meaning 'son of the one who is graced by God.' This patronymic naming tradition, adding the suffix -sen or -son to the father's name, was often used to create surnames in this region. Over time, these names became fixed and were passed down through generations. It's worth noting that the spelling of such surnames can vary, with examples including Janssen, Janssen, and Janson. Today, Jansen is one of the most common surnames in the Netherlands.
Order DNA origin analysisJansen: Where does the name Jansen come from?
The surname Jansen originates from the Netherlands and is a patronymic surname, which means it is derived from the name of a father or a male ancestor. Specifically, Jansen means "son of Jan," with Jan being a Dutch variation of the name John. As such, this surname is very common in the Netherlands, making it one of the most widespread last names within the country. It is also quite common in Belgium, particularly in the Flemish-speaking region. In addition to this, historical emigration from the Netherlands has led to the prevalence of the surname Jansen in other parts of the world, notably in the United States and South Africa. Over time, variants like “Johnson” have also emerged in English-speaking regions. Widespread intermarriage and migration have diluted the concentration of Jansen in contemporary times, making it spread around the globe. Despite this, the name Jansen still primarily indicates Dutch heritage.
Variations of the surname Jansen
The surname Jansen is a patronymic surname of Dutch origin, meaning "son of Jan". It is very common in the Netherlands, similar to "Johnson" in English-speaking countries. Variants of the surname can include Janssen, Jenssen, Jansson, and Janssens. It may also be simplified to Jens, Jans or Janes in some regions.
In some cases, due to immigration and localization, the name may be spelled as "Yansen" or "Yanssen" in regions where the letter "j" is pronounced as a "y". Alternately, it may be anglicized and spelled as "Johnson". The name could also have been recorded in original documents as Janzen, Jantzen, or Jensen, especially in German-speaking regions.
In different countries, there may be additional letters, such as the Icelandic "Jónsson", the Norwegian "Johansen" or "Johnsen", and the Danish or Norwegian "Jensen".
All these surnames, irrespective of their spellings, still carry the same original meaning: "son of Jan". Even with little changes in spelling and pronunciation, the etymology remains intact. The variants of the surname across different regions reflect linguistic and cultural differences.
Famous people with the name Jansen
- Cody Jansen: an American football quarterback who currently plays for the Jacksonville Jaguars in the NFL.
- Maarten Jansen: A Dutch comedian, voice actor, and television presenter.
- Mark Jansen: A Dutch songwriter, lyricist and vocalist associated with the metal bands After Forever, Epica, and Mayan.
- Sparta Jansen: A Dutch journalist in the field of sports.
- Francien Jansen: A Dutch singer and actress.
- Thomas Jansen: A German footballer who currently plays for Fenerbahçe in the Turkish Süper Lig.
- Michael Jansen: A German footballer who currently plays for VfL Bochum in the 2. Bundesliga.
- Klaas Janson: A Dutch dancer, actor, and choreographer.
- Phil Jansen: An American football quarterback who currently plays for the Cleveland Browns in the NFL.
- Imke Jansen: A German equestrian who competed in three Olympic Games and won a bronze medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics.