Surname Jakobitz - Meaning and Origin
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Jakobitz: What does the surname Jakobitz mean?
The German surname Jakobitz is derived from the Hebrew given name Jacob. The name itself literally means ‘God may protect’ which likely reflects the faith of the surname’s original bearers.
The first recorded instance of the surname from its original spelling ‘Jacoby’ is dated to 1330 in Lotingen, Germany. Variants of the name such as Jakobitz, Jackewitz, Jakwowitz, and Jakabitz have also been found throughout Germany and other areas of the former Austro-Hungarian empire, especially in Austria, Hungary, and Slovakia.
The presence of the Jakobitz surname in the former Austrian Empire suggests that these families were of aristocratic origin since it was then a requirement for people to adopt a surname and take on a coat of arms. Records of a Engelbert von Jakubitz from 1289 can still be found inarchives.
Given the geographical locations where the Jakobitz name has been found, it is likely that the descendants in associated families are descendants of a Jewish or noble lineage (or both). The presence of the name in other countries, especially America, is likely due to emigration.
Today, the surname Jakobitz is found mainly in Germany, Austria, and Hungary. It is also occasionally encountered in other countries due to emigration. Those bearing the surname can usually be identified by the distinctive ‘God may protect’ motif which has been adopted by many Jakobitz families.
Order DNA origin analysisJakobitz: Where does the name Jakobitz come from?
The last name Jakobitz is most commonly found in East Central Europe, with large concentrations in Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic. It is believed that the name originated in the area centuries ago and has been passed down among family members ever since. It is also found in smaller concentrations in Hungary, Switzerland, Slovakia, Croatia, and Ukraine.
The Jakobitz name is likely derived from the biblical name Jacob. The name Jacob is Hebrew in origin and means “supplanter,” someone who replaces another. This could be the source of the Jakobitz name, as a change in spelling over time.
The Jakobitz name is relatively uncommon in regions outside of Eastern Europe, though it can be found in smaller numbers in other parts of Europe as well as the United States. As a result of families immigrating to American soil for a new life, the Jakobitz name can be found prominently in various U.S. cities such as New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Similarly, Jakobitz can be found in other countries such as Canada, Australia, and Israel.
Variations of the surname Jakobitz
The surname Jakobitz can also be spelled as Jakobits, Jakobicz, Jakobitze, Jakobec, Jakobice, Jakobet, Jakobets, Jakobecz, or Jakobetz. All of the suggested alternate spellings are geographic variations of the original Polish-language name, with the root word being “Jakob” or “Jakobek”.
The Austrian version of the surname is Jacobitz and it is also sometimes spelled as Jakobicek. Many other alternate spellings exist, such as Jacobic, Jacobitz, Jacobicz, Jacobicek, Jakobecz, and Jacobetz.
In some instances, Jakobitz may have evolved from the Yiddish name Jacobowitz or Jacobovitz. It is also found in some areas of Europe as Jacobits or Jakobits.
In Romania, Jakobitz may have developed as Jacobita, Jakobiţă, Jacobet, or Jakobitza. The Czech version of this name is Jakoubek, though multiple variations on this spelling also exist, including Jakoubek, Jakoubk, Jakoubic, Jakoubíč and Jakoubek.
The Ukrainian version of this surname is either Yakobovych, Yakubovich, or Yakubovitch. The French spelling of Jakobitz is Jacobite, while the Finnish version is Jakopin. The surname may also have taken on modified forms, such as Jakobowic, Jakoboski, Jacobskie or Jakobyski.
Famous people with the name Jakobitz
- Peter Jakobitz, Austrian actor
- Laura Jakobitz, German film director
- Dennis Jakobitz, German film actor
- Ernst Jakobitz, Austrian painter
- Robert Jakobitz, German sociologist
- Julius Jakobitz, Austrian film director
- William Jakobitz, German author
- Kitty Von Jakobitz, Austrian fashion designer
- Ludwig Jakobitz, German composer
- Johannes Jakobitz, Austrian sculptor