Surname Jennes - Meaning and Origin
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Jennes: What does the surname Jennes mean?
The last name Jennes is believed to have originated from the French word "Gennes", which was used to describe a person who lived in Gennes, a commune in the Maine-et-Loire department in western France. It is also believed to be derived from a Germanic personal name of the same spelling (also spelled Genes or Gennes).
The Jennes surname may have further evolved with the mixing of cultures during the many centuries of migration and movement of people in and out of Europe, especially during the Middle Ages and Early Modern period. It is also possible that the proliferation of the last name was due to the French Huguenots, who were Protestant refugees fleeing persecution in their homeland of France in the late 16th century.
The exact meaning and origin of the Jennes surname is unclear, however it is likely it has its roots in either France or Germany, and speaks to the great migration of people throughout Europe. As we look back into history, it is remarkable that one surname can be traced to a variety of places and countries, all of which have left their mark and created a unique history for the name.
Order DNA origin analysisJennes: Where does the name Jennes come from?
The last name Jennes is most commonly found in parts of Belgium and France today. People with the surname Jennes are of Flemish or Walloon origin. In Belgium, the name is generally found in Flemish-speaking regions such as East and West Flanders, both in northern Belgium close to the French border. In France, the surname is most commonly associated with the northern region of Nord-Pas de Calais. It is also found in small numbers in other adjacent regions of Picardy and Artois.
The origin of the name is likely from a combination of two old words from Middle Dutch: 'jen' meaning 'yoke', and 'neese' meaning 'daughter'. The combined phrase would have been thought of as one name or title, perhaps 'daughter of the yoke'. This could have been given to female children to indicate an intention to place them under a yoke of servitude. It is unclear how widely this name was adopted in the Middle Ages. However, due to the regional linguistic divisions and historical events in Europe, the name has remained localized in these areas of Belgium and France due to a large degree of cultural continuity over the centuries.
Variations of the surname Jennes
The surname Jennes has been recorded in a variety of spellings since the mid-19th century. The most common spelling variant is Jennings, which was formed as a patronymic surname derived from the given name Jen and the suffix -ings. Variations include Jenes, Jennes, Jannes, Janes, and Jenning. In some cases, it may also be found as Janssen. It is thought to be an Anglo-Saxon origin, which could indicate a seventh century origin.
In Scotland, the surname may be a reduced form of MacGillivray, while in Ireland it may derive from a Gaelic Sept known as Ferin. In France, the surname has been recorded as Jean and Jannin.
In some cases, the surname Jennes may also be found as Jenness, Jennings, Jenkens, and Jenkyns. This suggests that there may have initially been a number of distinct family groups associated with the surname.
In Latin, the surname is recorded as Johannis, a patronymic form of John. The Germanic form of the given name was Janne or Jan, making the forms Jennes or Jannes more likely to be the original form of the surname.
In Conclusion, there are many variants and spellings of the surname Jennes that suggest it has had an interesting past. It is most likely to have originated in the Anglo-Saxon language, and been influenced over the centuries by Gaelic, French, Latin, and Germanic languages.
Famous people with the name Jennes
- Finn Wolfhard: Canadian actor, comedian, musician, and director
- Erika Jennes: Actress
- Grazia Jennes: Artist
- Johannes Jennes: Dutch professional cyclist
- Bradley Jennes: American rapper
- Max Jennes: Danish actor
- Chris Jennes: American country musician
- Taron Jennes: Canadian artist
- Marcus Jennes: Composer
- Rhys Jennes: Actor
- Anthony Jennes: Dutch violinist