Surname Agnes - Meaning and Origin
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Agnes: What does the surname Agnes mean?
The last name Agnes is of German, Dutch, French, Hungarian and Polish origin. It is a compound name derived from the words ‘agn’, which means ‘lamb’, and ‘nes’ meaning ‘from’. It was typically given to child born on Saint Agnes’ Day, which falls on 21st January.
The name Agnes is thought to have first been used in the 5th Century, with Saint Agnes of Rome being one of the most venerated figures of the Catholic Church in Antiquity. She was celebrated as a martyr who was persecuted for her faith in Jesus Christ. Her feast day has been observed by Christians since the 4th Century, hence its continued popularity as a name throughout Europe.
Agnes can also mean ‘pure’, ‘chaste’, ‘sacred’ and ‘holy’, making it an appropriate choice for someone with strong religious faith. The name has also come to embody qualities such as bravery, courage, kindness and humility.
Today, the name Agnes can be found all around the world, with people bearing it in Asia, Europe, North America, South America, and Australia. It has been adopted as both a given name and a surname, and has been borne by many influential figures throughout history.
Order DNA origin analysisAgnes: Where does the name Agnes come from?
The last name Agnes is most commonly found in Europe today. It is a French name derived from the Latin Agnestos, which means 'pure or holy'. It is found in various countries in Europe, including France, Belgium, Austria, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Portugal. The name has also spread to parts of North America due to European immigration and is now found in Canada and the United States.
The United States has the highest reported number of Agnes occurrences, with over 49,000 people carrying the last name. Interestingly, the states with the most occurrences are Arkansas, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. The popularity of the name gradually spread from the northeastern part of the country in the early 1900s, eventually finding more acceptance in other parts of the country.
Agnes also remains a prominent name in many other countries in the world. It is most commonly found in Spain, France, Canada, Austria, and Brazil. In Brazil, the name is typically spelled Agnez or Agnés. The countries with the highest reported number of Agnes occurrences are Spain, France, and Austria.
Overall, the name Agnes remains popular in Europe and has spread to other parts of the world due to immigration, both past and present. Its popularity has been largely consistent since the early 1900s, and is likely to remain a popular name in the years to come.
Variations of the surname Agnes
The surname Agnes has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Variations include Agnès, Anges, Annis, Anis, Agnese, Annes, Ángela, Anessa, Agness, and Angus. Agnes is a Latin name that has its roots in the Greek word Ἁγνή (Hagnē), which means “holy” or “pure”.
The surname Agnes is found in many countries. In France, it is spelled Agnès and is one of the most popular feminine given names in the country. The name is a popular baby name in France, and is sometimes shortened to Agnè. In Italian the name is Agnese.
A similar surname to Agnes is Anis, which is often found in the Middle East and North Africa. In Hebrew, the name is Annis, and in Spanish, the name is Ángela. Anessa is another variation which is often used in Eastern Europe, especially in Romania and Hungary.
In Great Britain, Agnes is often found in Scotland. The most common spelling for this name is Agness or Angus, with Agnes often being used as a nickname.
Agnes is also popular in Central and South America. The common spelling for this name, in most of these countries, is Agnese. The name Annis is also quite common in Germany, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Denmark.
Overall, Agnes is a very popular name, as it is found in many different countries. It can be spelled in many variations, so it is important to look beyond the most traditional spellings if one is looking for options of the same origin.
Famous people with the name Agnes
- Agnes Moorehead: Famous for her role as clairvoyant Endora in the American television sitcom Bewitched.
- Agnes Sybille de Gateaux: World champion in figure skating in 1933-34.
- Agnes Bernelle: Singer, actress, and cabaret performer known for her unconventional style and bold political and sexual statements.
- Agnes Sorel: Mistress of King Charles VII of France during the 15th century.
- Agnes Obel: Danish singer and songwriter, known for albums like “Aventine” and “Philharmonics” .
- Agnes Milowka: Professional cave diver and explorer who died in an accident whilst exploring in 2011.
- Agnes DeRouen: Creator and host of the award-winning television series, “Agnes Explains It All”.
- Agnes Varda: French New Wave filmmaker, co-founder of the French New Wave movement, and recipient of an honorary Oscar in 2018.
- Agnes Jaoui: French actress, screenwriter, and director, who has won multiple awards for her films and TV shows.
- Agnes Strickland: English author best known for writing comprehensive histories of the British Queens from the Norman Conquest onwards.