JENKS
Jenks
Overview
Jenks is a British surname of Anglo-Saxon origin, with possible roots tracing back to the medieval era. It is believed to have originated as a patronymic surname, meaning it indicated a person's relation to a male ancestor named "Jenk" or "Jenkin", diminutive forms of John, a common given name in medieval England.
Etymology
The surname "Jenks" is derived from the personal name "John", which itself has roots in the Hebrew name "Yochanan" meaning "God is gracious". Over time, various forms of the name emerged, leading to the creation of patronymic surnames like "Jenks", "Jenkinson", or "Jenkins".
Distribution and Variants
The surname "Jenks" is relatively rare in comparison to more widespread English surnames. It is most commonly found in regions such as Worcestershire, Herefordshire, and the West Midlands. Variants of the surname include "Jinkes" and "Jenkes".
Notable Individuals
- Charles Jenks: An English artist and landscape designer known for his influential work in postmodern architecture.
- Heather Jenks: A British historian specializing in medieval British history, with a focus on the Anglo-Saxon period.
- Nigel Jenks: A former British athlete who competed in the decathlon during the 1980s.
Legacy
The surname "Jenks" carries with it a sense of British heritage and historical connection to the medieval period. While not as common as some surnames, it remains a distinctive and recognisable name within the British genealogical landscape. Today, descendants of individuals bearing the surname "Jenks" can be found across the United Kingdom and in various parts of the world where British settlers have travelled.
There are approximately 1,711 people named Jenks in the UK. That makes it roughly the 4,796th most common surname in Britain. Around 26 in a million people in Britain are named Jenks.
Surname type: From name of parent
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Andrew
- Christopher
- David
- Edward
- Ian
- John
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Richard
- Robert
- Thomas
Female
- Claire
- Elizabeth
- Gloria
- Helen
- Joan
- Margaret
- Mary
- Michelle
- Nicola
- Patricia
- Samantha
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
- Grosjean
- Genke
- Hanson
- Janes
- Johnes
- Johncock
- John
- Jenkinson
- Johns
- Jenson
- Janks
- Jank
- Janke
- Jahnke
- Janka
- Janko
- Genks
- Gienke
- Jenk
- Jankes
- Jencks
- Jenes
- Jenke
- Jenkes
- Jenkey
- Jenkie
- Jenkns
- Jenko
- Jenns
- Jancke
- Janki
- Jankos
- Janku
- Jankus
- Janky
- Jeanes
- Jeans
- Jeenes
- Jeins
- Jenas
- Jenco
- Jenis
- Jenkson
- Jennes
- Jense
- Jeynes
- Jinks
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.