Surname Zohns - Meaning and Origin
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Zohns: What does the surname Zohns mean?
The surname Zohns is an anglicised version of a surname originating from German and Jewish sources. The German form is Zehn, meaning ‘ten’, which reflects an ancestor who may have been a local chief or ruler at some time. The Jewish version is Zehan, with the same meaning.
The surname is believed to have originated in the Rhineland and East Prussia regions of Germany, and it is possible the ancestry can be traced back as far as the Middle Ages. Given the patronymic naming characteristics of both German and Jewish sources, the surname may also suggest a family of noble ancestry.
The surname is fairly uncommon, with records of the surname Zohns starting in the western world in the early to mid 19th century, suggesting it likely derived from immigration to the United States and United Kingdom by German and Jewish families. In the United States today, the surname is mainly concentrated in Pennsylvania, followed by states such as California, New York, and Ohio.
The variation Zohns has been used across multiple generations in some cases, and is sometimes still being used today in combination with other surnames. This may reflect a desire to hold onto ancestral heritage, and the travelling of the surname from Germany, to the United States or United Kingdom.
Order DNA origin analysisZohns: Where does the name Zohns come from?
The last name Zohns is most common among those of Germanic descent. The earliest mention of the name is recorded in the 14th century in Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany. From there, it spread north and east, eventually reaching Scandinavia. The name is also found in some German-speaking regions of the United States, particularly Pennsylvania, where it was carried over by German immigrants in the 19th century. Today, the Zohns name is most prevalent in the German-speaking countries of Austria, Switzerland, and Germany. According to data from 2000, Zohns was the 8th most common surname in Austria, the 25th most common surname in Switzerland, and the 91st most common surname in Germany. Smaller pockets of Zohns can be found in the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Netherlands. Those with the surname Zohns or its variants can trace their heritage back to Germanic stock and can be proud of their long family history.
Variations of the surname Zohns
The surname Zohns (also spelled Zonse, Zones, Zonze, Zone, Zon, Zoice, Zuice, and Zoice) is a possible variant or spelling of the surname Jones. It is a patronymic surname of Welsh origin, deriving from the personal name "john," which ultimately means gracious gift of the Lord.
The surname Jones can take many forms in different countries. In the United States, forms such as Jone, Zoans, Zohms, Zones and Zohns are sometimes found, especially in the Southern States, where the influence of the Welsh in early colonial times was high.
In England, forms such as Jons, Jone, Joness, Joanes,Johnes, Jonnis, and Jonesse are also sometimes found. In Scotland, there are forms such as Jons, Jone, Johnis, and Jonis. In Ireland, forms such as Jonne, Joness, and Jonne(s) can be found.
Regardless of the country or spelling variant, they all have the same Welsh origin and are derived from the personal name John or Johaness. People who bear the surname Zohns are likely to have roots in Wales; however, they may also have family connections to England, Scotland or Ireland.
The name has become popular worldwide and is used in many forms, such as Zon, Zones, Zohns, Zoice, Zoanes, Zone and Zoice. Searching archived birth, marriage, death, and census records can help determine the variant used by ancestors and link members of the same family to each other more easily.
Famous people with the name Zohns
- Ethan Zohn: Best known as the third-season winner of the Survivor US television series, Ethan has continued to make headlines for his work with ‘Grassroot Soccer’; a non-profit organization dedicated to using soccer to educate, inspire and mobilize youth in the fight against HIV and AIDS.
- Henry Zohn: As an American professor emeritus of literature and philosophy, Henry is known for his academic work on Jewish and German literature, as well as his various publications, such as The Poetry of Zeitlichkeit, Evil in the European Literatures, and Beyond Theology: The Literary Structure of the Jewish Bible.
- Charles Zohn: Charles is an American playwright and professor who received a Tony Award in 1971 for his play “Benefit of the Doubt.” He is also well-known for his other works such as "The Brothers Ashkenazi" and "Heads or Tails."
- Paul Zohn: Polish-born American popular historian, Paul is renowned for his books on Polish-Jewish History, such as Poland’s Heirs Apparent: The Judaism of Polish Jewry from 1920 to banner academic reassessment of the development of Poland's Holocaust History, based on personal experiences and oral interviews.
- Gal Zohns: Israeli sound composer, songwriter and singer-songwriter, Gal is known for her work in creating sound installations that have been used in various theatre performances and contemporary films. She has also released numerous solo albums over the years, ranging from traditional Jewish to electronic and rock music.