Project Objectives: We want to broaden the scope of this project to all with the surname "Janse..." including: Jans, Jansen,Janson, Janßen, Jansson, Jansz, Jansze, Janse van Eeden, van Eden, Janse van Rensburg, Jansen van Rensburg, Rensburg, Van Rensburg, Janse van Vuuren, Van Vuren.

Jansen (and the alternative spellings) usually means “son of Jan” (son of John in English). What we don't know is who the John’s were, and there were many. Please see the "Background" tab for more information about spelling varieties of related surnames. Where we can identify a progenitor for a branch of a surname, it will be listed on the yDNA results page for each particular branch.

In the case of "JANSEN VAN RENSBURG", we assume that the family was named after the son of John (Jan/Johannes) from the town/farm of Rensburg. Exactly where that place was, we don't know. The progenitor of the family in South Africa was known as Claas JANSZ in archival documents, and is thought to have been from Rendsborg, Slesvig-Holsten, Danmark (now Rendsburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany) around 1708. Some researchers claim that he originated from the town of Rijnsburg, Katwijk, Netherlands (near Leiden), but this is less likely. There are other theories too, but no proof for any as yet. Hence DNA testing. So far we have established that "Janse(n) van Rensburg’s" are related.

In the case of "JANSEN VAN VUUREN", it is assumed that the family was named after the son of John (Jan/Johannes) from the town of Vuren in Gelderland in the Netherlands.

In the case of "JANSE VAN EEDEN", the E(e)den does not point to a place name, but is itself a patronym. (Sources as per the "Background" tab).

It would be an interesting exercise to find out how many, if any, of the other "Jansen" derivatives and alternate spellings are related; and to try and establish links between Europe and the “new world”. ALL MALES WITH A "JANSE(N)" OR ALTERNATIVE SPELLING IN THEIR SURNAMES ARE THEREFORE INVITED TO JOIN THIS PROJECT.Males from all countries and all population groups are welcome, as long as their surname meet the criteria.

The tests we are currently engaged in is yDNA testing, available for males. The results are a set of markers (allowing the results to be matched to those of others), plus a haplogroup, which defines the origin of the subject's ancestors.

We prefer to use a minimum of 37-marker test results, as it gives reliable results within 7 generations. 111-marker tests are now available, and members are encouraged to upgrade to a higher-marker test.