Surname Janac - Meaning and Origin
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Janac: What does the surname Janac mean?
The last name Janac is derived from the Slavic personal name Janko, which is still common in some countries today. This was originally derived from the Hebrew name Yochanan or John, meaning “God is gracious.”
The spelling of the name has changed over the centuries and is most notable in the language of the countries where it is most commonly found. In Polish and Czech it is spelled Janák, while in Croatian and Slovenian it is written Janač. In some other countries, such as Slovakia and Germany, it is written as Janac.
The Janac family are believed to have originated in Central Europe including Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia and Serbia. Throughout this region, Janac families can be found, particularly in Austria and Hungary.
It is likely that the Janac family were originally either landowners or members of the Slovakian, Czech, Austrian and Hungarian aristocracy. However, there is evidence that the Janac family also had some members who were merchants.
The Janac family were likely active in the Protestant Reformation of the 16th,17th and 18th centuries and some of its members, including a Michael Janak were noted composers and musicians in the area.
Today, the Janac family are scattered around the world but mainly stay in Central Europe, particularly in Austria, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
Order DNA origin analysisJanac: Where does the name Janac come from?
The last name Janac is primarily found in Slovakia, a country in Central Europe that is bordered by Poland, Hungary and Austria. It is believed to have originated from the Arabic name Janac, which is the Arabic word for "friend" or "beloved".
The name Janac can still be found today in some countries of the former Yugoslavian states, such as Croatia, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and Moldova.
The last name Janac is also found in other parts of Europe, such as Germany, Austria, Hungary, Italy and Romania, and is present in the Americas too, including parts of the United States, Canada, Argentina, Uruguay and Chile.
Given that Janac is a common last name in Central and Eastern Europe, it is likely that many people still have the Janac surname in those countries. Even if the name is no longer as common in some countries, it is highly likely that many migrants who left those countries kept the name Janac and brought it to their new homes.
Tracing the origin and present-day populations with the Janac surname will provide a more complete history of the name and its evolution over the decades and centuries past.
Variations of the surname Janac
The surname Janac has various variants, spellings, and surnames that all share the same origin. The most common variant is the spelling Yannac, which is most likely of French origin. Other variants include Jannac, Yannac, Yannach, Yannatch, Yanatch, and Yannick.
The surname is linked to the Hebrew given name Yonah, which in English translates to "dove". It likely originated from the Hebrew personal name "Yonah Ha-Naşi", which translates to "dove, the Nazirite". As a surname it may have first been seen in the 12th century, with the earliest recordings of people with the surname coming from Provence, France.
The associated surnames of Janac, Yannac, and their variants have appeared all over Europe over the centuries. The name has been found in places like Switzerland, Italy, and Belgium, as well as other locations in the world. In the United States, the name appears in the 18th century, with record holders found in Pennsylvania and New York.
In addition to these variants and spellings, the surname Janac is also known by other surnames. For example, in Italy the name Gianni, a shortened version of Giovanni, is often used instead of Janac. Other variants of this surname are Gianac, Giannac, Giannach, and Yannick.
Overall, the surname Janac has been adopted by many people over the centuries, and has many variants and spellings. As a result, it is likely the origin of several other related surnames, all of which trace back to the Hebrew given name Yonah.
Famous people with the name Janac
- Natan Janac: Slovak entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist.
- Leona Janac: American fashion designer.
- Tomislav Janac: Croatian basketball player.
- Karl-Adam Janac: Czech ice hockey player.
- Irina Janac: Spanish dancer and choreographer.
- Andreas Janac: Austrian bobsledder and osteopath.
- Petar Janac: Serbian mathematician and professor.
- Dmitry Janac: Russian professional footballer.
- Juan Carlos Janac: Brazilian football coach and former player.
- Zdenek Janac: Czech ice hockey forward.
- Marie Janac: French ice dancer.
- Janko Janac: Croatian water polo player.
- Primož Janac: Slovenian freestyle skier.
- Johny Janac: Philippine basketball player.
- Joseph John Janac: Australian politician.
- Radu Janac: Moldovan politician and public figure.
- Monika Janac: Slovak figure skater.
- Duncan Janac: Maltese swimmer.