JANUS
Janus
Janus is a British surname of Norman origin, derived from the Latin name Janus, the Roman god of beginnings, gates, transitions, time, duality, and passages. The name was introduced to Britain after the Norman Conquest of 1066.
Origin and Meaning:
The surname Janus is believed to have been bestowed upon those who demonstrated qualities associated with the Roman god Janus, such as new beginnings, transitions, or acting as a gatekeeper in some metaphorical sense.
Distribution and Popularity:
The surname Janus is relatively rare in Britain, with most occurrences found in historical records rather than contemporary society. It is more commonly found in regions with historical links to Norman settlements.
Notable Individuals:
While the surname Janus may not be linked to many famous figures in British history, those who bear this name are likely to have a heritage tied to the Norman conquest and the subsequent assimilation of Normans into British society.
In summary, the surname Janus is a unique and historic name in Britain, with roots in Norman culture and the symbolic significance associated with the Roman god of transitions.
There are approximately 198 people named Janus in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around three in a million people in Britain are named Janus.
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Grzegorz
- Hugh
- Kamil
- Krzysztof
- Marcin
- Pawel
- Peter
- Piotr
- Rafal
- Robert
- Tomasz
Female
- Agnieszka
- Aleksandra
- Anna
- Dominika
- Joanna
- Justyna
- Katarzyna
- Katja
- Magdalena
- Monika
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.