UK surname
A variant spelling of the English surname derived from the given name John.
In the 1881 census there were 19 people recorded with the Jehn surname, ranking it #30,872 among surnames in the records. By 2011, the modern count was 1, ranked #39,015, down from #30,872 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), London parishes and Llandyfodog. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Jehn is 124 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 94.7%.
1881 census count
19
Ranked #30,872
Modern count
1
2011, ranked #39,015
Peak year
1911
124 bearers
Map years
1
1911 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Jehn surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Jehn surname density by area, 1911 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 62 | #22,232 |
| 1881 | historical | 19 | #30,872 |
| 1891 | historical | 31 | #31,820 |
| 1901 | historical | 36 | #30,099 |
| 1911 | historical | 124 | #20,023 |
| 1997 | modern | 4 | #38,094 |
| 1998 | modern | 4 | #38,082 |
| 1999 | modern | 1 | #38,820 |
| 2000 | modern | 1 | #38,790 |
| 2001 | modern | 1 | #38,647 |
| 2005 | modern | 1 | #38,814 |
| 2006 | modern | 1 | #38,879 |
| 2007 | modern | 2 | #38,617 |
| 2008 | modern | 1 | #38,949 |
| 2009 | modern | 1 | #38,998 |
| 2010 | modern | 1 | #39,020 |
| 2011 | modern | 1 | #39,015 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), London parishes, Llandyfodog, Welshpool and Llanfair-Caereinion. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) | Glamorganshire |
| 2 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 3 | Llandyfodog | Glamorganshire |
| 4 | Welshpool | Montgomeryshire |
| 5 | Llanfair-Caereinion | Montgomeryshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Jehn surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Jehn, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Jehn surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Jehn household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Jehn is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Jehn is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Jehn, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname "Jehn" is of German origin, and its roots can be traced back to the Middle Ages. It is believed to have originated in the region of Saxony, where it was derived from the Old German word "jehen," meaning "to confess" or "to acknowledge."
One of the earliest recorded instances of this surname can be found in the Codex Diplomaticus Saxoniae, a medieval collection of documents from Saxony, which mentions a certain "Johannes Jehn" in the year 1376. This suggests that the name had already been established in the region by the 14th century.
During the 15th century, the surname appears to have spread to other parts of Germany, as evidenced by the appearance of various individuals with the name Jehn in historical records from different regions. For instance, a "Hans Jehn" is mentioned in a document from the city of Nuremberg, dated 1487.
In the 16th century, the name Jehn gained further prominence with the birth of Johann Jehn (1516-1582), a Lutheran theologian and reformer who played a significant role in the Protestant Reformation. His writings and sermons helped to spread the teachings of Martin Luther throughout Germany and beyond.
Another notable figure bearing this surname was Johann Friedrich Jehn (1680-1756), a German composer and organist who lived during the Baroque era. He is best known for his contributions to the development of the organ concerto genre.
The 18th century saw the emergence of Johann Jehn (1724-1798), a German painter and engraver who was renowned for his landscapes and portraits. His works can be found in various museums and private collections across Europe.
In the 19th century, the name Jehn continued to be associated with individuals of note, such as Carl Jehn (1825-1899), a German businessman and industrialist who played a significant role in the development of the steel industry in the Ruhr region.
Throughout its history, the surname Jehn has also been linked to various place names and locations within Germany, such as the town of Jehna in Saxony, which likely derived its name from the surname itself.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Jehn surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lancashire leads with 7 Jehns recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.19x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 7 | 3.19x |
| Shropshire | 7 | 43.75x |
| Warwickshire | 4 | 8.56x |
| Middlesex | 1 | 0.54x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Shrewsbury St Chad in Shropshire leads with 7 Jehns recorded in 1881 and an index of 1250.00x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Shrewsbury St Chad | 7 | 1250.00x |
| Toxteth Park | 5 | 67.20x |
| Birmingham | 4 | 25.69x |
| Liverpool | 1 | 7.49x |
| Poplar London | 1 | 28.57x |
| West Derby | 1 | 15.55x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Jehn surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Jehn surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Jehn households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 4 |
| Farmers Daughter | 3 |
| Farmers Son | 2 |
| Seaman | 2 |
| Charwoman | 1 |
| Cooper | 1 |
| Dress Maker | 1 |
| Farmer 240 Acres 3 Boys | 1 |
| Farmers Wife | 1 |
| General Servant | 1 |
| Paper Box Maker | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 19 people were recorded with the Jehn surname. That placed it at #30,872 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 1 in 2011. That gives Jehn a modern rank of #39,015.
A variant spelling of the English surname derived from the given name John.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Jehn bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.