Surname Joyner - Meaning and Origin

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D. Joyner

Joyner: What does the surname Joyner mean?

The surname Joyner is of English origin and it is an occupational surname that refers to a person who was a skilled carpenter, specifically, one who did ‘joining’ – a crucial part of the woodworking operations during the building of houses in the Middle Ages. The term is derived from the Middle English word "joynour", which in turn is derived from the Old French word "joigneor". This profession involved in making things by joining pieces of wood, particularly the wooden components for the doors, windows, and furniture of buildings. It’s important to point out that, a joiner differed from a carpenter with the former is considered more specialized, creating items by joining wood, while the latter involved in constructing the building frameworks. Therefore, someone with the surname Joyner has ancestors who were craftsmen and builders. Like many other occupational surnames that were formed during the Middle Ages, it mirrors the skills and craftsmanship of the person's medieval ancestors.

Joyner: Where does the name Joyner come from?

The surname Joyner is of English origin, derived from the Middle English term "joynour," meaning a craftsman or joiner. It is an occupational surname, named after the job of craftsman, someone who builds things by joining pieces of timber. The name emerged during the Middle Ages in England. In the old medieval records, the surname was initially referenced in Worcestershire where the Joyner family held a family seat from early times. The first recording of the surname dates back to the 13th century.

Today, Joyner is common in countries where English is widely spoken, such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. In the United States, it is particularly prevalent in the southeastern regions like North Carolina and Virginia. Even though it is of English origin, the surname is also found in non-English speaking countries due to global diaspora. The distribution patterns of the surname globally suggest influential migration or displacement routes from the UK, a common phenomenon in the background of many surnames.

Variations of the surname Joyner

The surname Joyner is of Old French origin and was introduced to England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The name is an occupational surname derived from the term for a skilled wood-worker or carpenter, 'joigneur'.

Several variants and spellings of the surname Joyner exist, due to regional and dialectal differences, as well as historical changes in the language. These include Joyner, Joynson, Joynes, Joyneer, Joiner, Joynier, Jayner, Jaynar, Jayner, Joaner and Joanner.

There are also a few dimmensions from Joyner, such as Joyners and Joynor. It's not uncommon for surnames to get an additional 's' to indicate 'son of', hence Joyners could mean 'son of Joyner.

Further, the surname has been anglicized in some historical records to Janner or Jenner.

While Joyner is predominantly found in England and subsequently the Americas due to early migration, related surnames can potentially be found across Europe where similar occupations existed, though they would be adapted to the local language and orthographic rules. For example, equivalents could include the German Zimmermann or the French Charpentier, both also meaning carpenter.

Remember, spelling variations in names could be due to a branch of the family spelling it differently, errors in handwritten documents, or translations and transcriptions over time.

Famous people with the name Joyner

• Lucas Joyner: American YouTube star, actor, singer, and social media influencer.
• Warrick Joyner: American Government policy analyst, former Top Chef YouTube star, and entrepreneur.
• Tom Joyner: Renowned American radio host and television host the syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show.
• Pharrell Williams: Grammy-winning American singer, songwriter and record producer.
• Jennifer Joyner: American television actress best known for her roles in the television shows “Ally McBeal” and “American Horror Story”.
• LaToya Joyner: American professional soccer player and coach.
• Wayne Joyner: American actor, known for his roles in the television series “Scrubs” and “Breaking Bad”.
• Ashley and Christian Joyner: Twin pastors, writers, and motivational speakers.
• Andre Joyner: NFL running back who was a member of the New England Patriots practice squad in 2008.
• Antonia Joyner: American actress, screenwriter, and director best known for her work in “Rick and Morty” and “Scrubs”.

Other surnames

Joynes