Surname Johan - Meaning and Origin
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Johan: What does the surname Johan mean?
The last name Johan is of Germanic origin, and is one of the most popular surnames in Northern Europe. It is believed to be derived from Johannes, a popular name derived from John, which means “God is gracious.” The Johan family name can be found in Germany, France, Sweden, Norway, and even in the Netherlands.
The Johan family has a rich and storied history in Europe, with many branches all over the world. Johans were some of the earliest settlers in Europe, and have been involved in a number of regions for centuries. The surname is tied to a number of notable figures in literature, science, and art, including Carl Johan, King of Norway and Sweden in the early 1800s.
The Johan family is known for their strength and loyalty, and this is greatly reflected in the name. Those with the Johan name tend to be natural leaders, and often champion causes they are passionate about. They are also known for their strong sense of family values, and tend to prioritize relationships and look out for their loved ones.
Overall, the last name Johan is a very proud and noble one, with a rich and long history. It reflects a sense of strength, loyalty, and dedication to those you love. There is much to be proud of when it comes to being a Johan.
Order DNA origin analysisJohan: Where does the name Johan come from?
The last name Johan is most commonly found in Germany, Austria and many parts of Scandinavia, such as Norway, Sweden, Denmark and the Faroe Islands. Regional variations on the last name exist, with Johannes being popular in the Netherlands, Johanneson in the United States, Juhan in Estonia, Jóhannesdóttir in Iceland, and Gulbrandsen in Norway.
Johan is an extremely popular surname in Germany, ranking in the top 100 names given to newborn children since the 1950s. It is also a frequent name choice in Austria, where it was the third most popular surname given to babies between 2011 and 2013.
In Sweden, Johan was the fourth most popular surname given to babies during a similar period. It is also a prominent name in many other Scandinavian countries, with Juhan being the seventh most popular name in Estonia and Gulbrandsen being the eleventh most popular in Norway.
Johan is also an uncommon name in the United States, but it has been present in some parts since the early 1600s, with the first family in the area bearing the last name arriving in Pennsylvania from Germany. The name is also found elsewhere, such as in Hungary, India and Indonesia, as well as in Latin America, particularly in Brazil.
Variations of the surname Johan
Johan is a Scandinavian variant of the name John, and is associated with a wide variety of spellings and surnames. Commonly encountered variants include Johan, Johans, Johanson, Johann, Johannes, Jons, and Jonsson. Johan is often used in Dutch, German, and Scandinavian countries, and some other European countries.
In Dutch, Johan and Jean are often used interchangeably, and spellings such as Johanssen, Johansen, Jon, and Jonassen can be encountered. In Germany, forms such as Johannes, Johannsen, Johanssen, Johannson, and Johansson are commonly used. Other variations include Johannessen,", Johano, and Jonason.
The Scandinavian forms of the name Johan include Johansson, though the Swedish form Jonsson is very popular. Jönsson and Jonsdotter are sometimes encountered, as are variants such as Hansson, Eriksson, and Emanuel.
In the Scottish Highlands, the names John and Iain have long had the same origin, and many surnames are derived from these, such as Johnson, MacIain, Ianson, MacJohn, and MacAllister. In Ireland, John gave way to Sean, which spawned common surnames such as O'Shaughnessy and McCarthy.
In other countries, the surname Johan has sometimes taken on an Anglicized version of the spelling, such as Jahan in Iran and Johanan in India.
In all cases, Johan is a spelling or variant attributed to a single root name, John, which is of Hebrew and Greek origin. The meaning of the name John is “Yahweh is gracious”.
Famous people with the name Johan
- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, German author, poet, and statesman
- Johann Sebastian Bach, German composer and musician
- Johann Strauss, Austrian composer and musician
- Johann Pieterzoon Bach, Dutch painter
- Johann Carl Metzger, German astronomer
- Johann Friedrich Blumenbach, German physician and naturalist
- Johann Strauss II, Austrian composer and musician
- Johann Gottfried Herder, German philosopher and theologian
- Johann Bernoulli, Swiss mathematician
- Johann Christoph Gluck, Austrian-Bohemian composer
- Johann Wolfgang Döring, German philosopher
- Johann Jacob Schaffner, Swiss botanist and theologist
- Johann Gottlieb Fichte, German philosopher
- Johann Joachim Winckelmann, German art historian and archaeologist
- Johann Kaspar Lavater, German theologian and poet
- Johann Gottfried Galle, German astronomer
- Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi, Swiss educational reformer
- Johann Christoph Denner, German instrument maker and inventor of the clarinet
- Johann Balthasar Neumann, German Baroque architect
- Johann Karl August Musaus, German poet and graphic artist