Surname Jennwein - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'J'
Jennwein: What does the surname Jennwein mean?
The last name Jennwein has German roots and is believed to have originally been spelledGennwein. The literal meaning of the name is “kind protection”, though there are other interpretations. In Old German, ‘jen’ is an archaic word for ‘kind’, ‘gen’ is an archaic word for ‘protection’ and ‘wein’ is a common suffix translated to ‘fence’.
Given the literal translation, it is thought that this surname is indicative of protective families or kind spirits. It has been suggested that those with this name might have had an affinity with the idea of providing shelter, aid or safety, either in the literal sense of sheltering from weather or in the sense of being a support to others.
Jennwein is a fairly rare name, with records of it being traced back as far as the 16th century in areas of Germany such as Bavaria. It is thought that most people bearing the name today are likely descended from the original family, and many of these lineages still live in Germany as well as the United States.
Given the positive connotations of the name, it is likely that those who have the name Jennwein will be kind-hearted and especially generous individuals. Those who bear the name can take pride in being part of a noble history of protecting those around them.
Order DNA origin analysisJennwein: Where does the name Jennwein come from?
The last name Jennwein is most commonly found in Germany today. It is an occupational name, derived from the archaic German word “jenwein”, referring to a courtier or supervisor. This indicates that the ancestral roots of Jennwein are from Germany or one of the Germanic countries.
Jennwein is a patronymic last name, rather than a hereditary one, meaning that it changes with each generation. For example, if a child’s great grandfather was named Johann Jennwein, then the child’s surname would be Johannsen and their grandchildren would bear the name Jensen.
Today, Jennwein can also be found in the United States and to a lesser degree in Australia and Canada. In the United States it is mostly concentrated in the Midwest, specifically Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota, which all have significant German-American populations.
It is likely that Jennwein has been around as a surname since the Middle Ages, although it is impossible to be certain. In any case, it is still popular in Germany and several areas of North America, showing that it continues to be an influential surname today.
Variations of the surname Jennwein
The surname Jennwein is derived from the German surname Johanneswein, which was derived from the given name Johannes and the word wein meaning vine. The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Jennwein are as follows:
Johanneswein: This is the most common form of the name for people with the surname Jennwein.
Jannswein: This is a variation of the spelling of the name. It is often found in contexts where the name has been passed down through several generations.
Jannswyn: This is another variation of the spelling of the name. It can also be found in cases where the name has been passed down through several generations.
Jannswine: This is a modernized version of the name and can be found in contexts where the name has been recently changed due to digital records.
Gonthier: The surname Gonthier is a variant of the name Jennwein. It is most commonly found in French speaking contexts.
Johanneswine: This is an alternate spelling of the name and is found mostly in German-speaking areas.
Jansen: The surname Jansen is derived from the Latin given name Johannes and is often seen as the surname equivalent to Jennwein.
Jennwin: This is an alternate spelling for the Jennwein surname and can be found mostly in North America.
Jannewin: This is an irregular spelling of the original name that is sometimes found in records.
Jenswine: This is an alternate spelling of the name that is seen more often in contexts with Dutch immigrants.
Gianni: This is an Italian variation of the name that is derived from the Latin given name Johannes.
Giannini: This is another Italian variation of the name Jennwein, derived from the Latin given name Johannes.
Famous people with the name Jennwein
- Franz Josef Jennwein (born 1931), Austrian alpine skier.
- Konrad Jennewein (born 1922), German sculptor.
- Anton Jennwein (1545–1596), German astronomer and Cosmographer.
- Johann Michael Jennewein (1767–1834), German landscape painter.
- Julius Jennwein (1790–1864), Austrian landscape painter.
- Robert Jennewein (born 1954), German actor.
- Elisabeth Jennewein (1882–1969), German sculptor.
- Edwin Jennwein (born 1969), German artist.
- Michael Jennewein (born 1945), German pop singer.
- Jürgen Jennewein (born 1954), German ice hockey coach.