Surname Jankowske - Meaning and Origin
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Jankowske: What does the surname Jankowske mean?
The surname Jankowske is of German origin and is derived from the personal name "Jan," derived from the Hebrew name "Johannes," meaning "God is gracious." The suffix "-kow" sometimes indicated a line of descent, so it is likely that the surname Jankowske is derived from a Jan-named ancestor. Historically, the Jankowske name was traditionally found in the region around Pomerania in northern Germany, with some families migrating to areas of the Czech Republic near the Bavarian border.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, many of the Jankowske families travelled further afield to locations all over the world, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. There is also evidence of Jankowskes living in Brazil and Bolivia.
An interesting fact is that the Jankowske name can be found in both German and Polish records. Due to the centuries-long border challenge between the two countries, it is quite possible that some of the Jankowske families were of Polish origin, as many Poles adopted or were given German surnames during this time.
The legacy of the Jankowske name continues even to the present day, with some members of the family dedicating their time and energy to preserving their ancestral heritage. The legacy of the Jankowske family is one of exploration, bravery and resilience, having endured difficult times and travelled all over the world in pursuit of a better life.
Order DNA origin analysisJankowske: Where does the name Jankowske come from?
The last name Jankowske is most common today in German-speaking countries, particularly in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. According to the Forebears census, Jankowske is the 4,885th most common last name in the world, with over 5,000 people that share it.
In Germany, the name is most common in the states of Berlin and Schleswig-Holstein. Those with the last name Jankowske are believed to have come from the Brandenburg region (near Berlin), where it is one of the more common surnames. From there it spread to other German-speaking countries, particularly Austria and Switzerland.
Today, the name is still associated with German-speakers, but it can be found in people from other countries as well, due to migration and the spread of the name through families. Those with the last name Jankowske are found in countries throughout Europe, as well as North and South America, Australia, and New Zealand. The name is still most strongly attached to Germanic cultures, however, and it is likely to remain so for the foreseeable future.
Variations of the surname Jankowske
Jankowske is an uncommon South German and Polish surname derived from the name Jan. The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origins are several. Janeczko, Janko, Janko-Beutisz, Janke, Jankowiak, Jankowski, Jankovski and Jankus are all variants of the same origin.
In Poland, Janek is an especially common diminutive form of the name Jan, and thus, names ending in -ek are often derived from it. Examples of other surnames derived from Janek are Janeczko, Janek-Millar, and Janko. Another variant that exists in Poland is Jankowski, derived from Janek by the addition of the suffix -owski.
The German form of Jan is Johann, and the Bavarian form is Hans. Similarly, these two variants have their associated surnames, such as Janko-Beutisz, Johanßen, and Janczak.
In some cases, the spelling may be modified to reflect the phonetic preferences of the spelling of the language being used. For instance, the variant Janke, sometimes found in East Prussia, is the German version of the Polish spelling Janko.
Thus, Jankowske is a South German and Polish surname derived from the given name Jan/Johann. Its variants, spellings, and surnames include Janeczko, Janko, Janko-Beutisz, Janke, Jankowiak, Jankowski, Jankovski, Jankus, Janek-Millar, Johanßen, Janczak, and Janke.
Famous people with the name Jankowske
- Drew Jankowske: an American National Champion tennis player, who won the Mixed Doubles with partner Whitney Jones in 2006.
- Karl Kankowski: a German film director, best known for his independent films.
- Justin Jankowske: a former professional basketball player who played for the Los Angeles Lakers.
- Julian Jankowske: a Swiss ice hockey player who has played for the Lugano Hockey Club and serves as an ambassador for the game.
- Werner Jankowski: an Austrian mountaineer and explorer who made the first ascent of Mount Everest in 1953.
- Sarah Jankowski: a German singer and actor, best known for her starring role in the 1950 hit play “Fronz”.
- Sabine Jankowski: an Austrian-Polish sailor, who won the Olympic gold medal in sailing in 2000.
- Jesko Jankowski: a German theologian and scholar, best known for his research on the interconnections between science and religious belief.
- Heather Jankowske: a British artist and sculptor, famous for her intricate wire sculptures.
- Jeffrey Jankowski: an American game designer, creator of the popular video game “Smuggler’s Haven.”