The project was started in November 2006. Further reading about DNA: In the first place, I recommend the book “Trace your roots with DNA” by Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak and Ann Taylor.Background reading: authors Spencer Wells and Bryan Sykes.

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.

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 Eeden, Janse van Rensburg, Jansen van Rensburg, Rensburg, Van Rensburg, Van Rens, Janse van Vuuren, Van Vuren, Van Veuren. Males from all countries, and all population groups are welcome to participate, as long as their surname fit the criteria.

Janse (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, but they were most probably not all related. Unfortunately John (and varieties in other European languages)is one of the most popular names in Europe, and surnames using this patronym have been recorded as far back as the 1300s.

Please note that there are therefore probably hundreds of spelling varieties for “Janse…” surnames. This includes Jans, (de); (de) Jan, Yan(s), Janse, Janz, Janss, Ians, Jaans, Jahn(s), Jähne, Jon, Dejean, Dejaen, Janne(s), Jannis, Jennes, Jennis, Jens(e), Janszone, Jans(s)oone, Jansonne, Jans(s)eune, Yans(s)ens, Janses, Janson, Jans(s)en(s), Janssans, Jans(z)en, Janshen, Janssem, Jancen, Janssis, Yancis, Yanssis, Janissen, Ianssens, Ians(s)en, Jaunzems, Jeance, Jensen, Jens(s)ens, Jenzen. Jansenne, Jansemme, Jeanssens, Jeansen(n)e, -sène, Jenchenne, Yancenne, Y(e)ansenne. Jeanson, Janson, Jehanson, Jehenson, Je(a)nneson. Etc. Patr. Zoon van Jan/Jean [John’s son]. (Source: "Woordenboek van de familienamen in België en Noord-Frankrijk" by Dr. Frans Debrabandere).

Another source for Dutch surname varieties is: "Achternamen in Nederland &Vlaanderen: Oorsprong, geschiedenis en betekenis" by Johan Winkler & Jan Nijen Twilhaar. It contains more “Jansen” varieties, including those from the Netherlands and Friesland (based on first names Johannes, Joannes, Joan, Johan, Jan, Hans, Janke, Jancko, Jentje (Gentius), Jannes, Jannis, Jans, Hannes, Jennis, Jens, Jenniske, etc.,  England (John), Scandinavia (Jon, Jens), Germany (Johann, Hans), France (Jean), Spain (Juan), Italy (Giovanni), Russia (Ivan), Poland, Czech Republic and other Slavic countries (Jan, Janko). Dutch surname forms listed in this source include Johannink, Johanningmeyer, Johans, Janninga, Janninge, Janning, Jannink, Janzing, Janssonius, Jansenius, Janszeune, Jansone, Janseune, Janson, Janneson, Jantzon, Janssen, Janssens, Jansse, Jansen, Jansens, Janse, Jansè, Tanjè, Janszen, Jansze, Janzen, Janze, Jansz, Jans, Jannen, Janne, Jannesse, Janesse, Jannissen, Janisse, Jantz, Jantzen, Jansma, Jansema, Jenning, Jennings, Jenninck, Jentink, Jens, Jensson, Jenny, Jensen, Jensma, Jensema, Jentsema, Jentse, Jenke, Jentzema, Janthiama, Jantiema, Jantjes, Jennen, Jenniskens, Jennissen, Jennessen, Jeenenga, Jenia, Jeens, Jenjema, Jone, Joons, Hannes, Hanson, Hanssen, Hanssens, Hannessen, Hansen, Hansens, Hanse, Hansma, Hansema, Hensen, Henss, Henssens, Henskens. And perhaps Hanning, Hennema, Hankema, Hanken, Hankes, Henning, Hennye, Henny, Hens, Henkema, Henkes, etc.

Similarly, there are many spelling varieties for van Rensburg and Janse van Rensburg.There are (van) Rein, Rens, Rensch. (van) Rensberg(en), Rensberghen, Rensenberg, Rensburg, Reynsbergen, Rhynsbergen. Older spelling forms back to the 1500s include Rhijnsburger, Reynsberch, Rensberch. Also variations Rensen, Renssen, Renz(en). Rein, Reyne(n), Reijn(en), Rijnen, Reine, Renn, Renne(n), Reyn(s), Reijns, Reins, Rens, Reens, Rents, Rins, Ryns. Rein, Rens is a patronym short form based on the Germanic "ragin" (=council, advice) dating back to at least the 1200s. (Source: "Woordenboek van de familienamen in België en Noord-Frankrijk" by Dr. Frans Debrabandere).

In my own family, over 300 years, the spelling of this surname changed from the original Jansz, to Janse Van Rinsburg, Jansz Van Rinsburgh, Jansen van Rensburg, Jansen Van Rensbürg, and Janse van Rensburg. In this case the suffix pointed to a place name, perhaps in Denmark (a place within Germany's borders today), or less likely a place in the Netherlands.

Likewise Janse van Vuuren also includes van Vuure(n), Vuren.  Again the suffix pointed to a place name, in this case in the Netherlands. Janse Van Eeden includes Eden(s), Eedens. In this case the suffix does not point to a place name, but is itself a patronym. (Source: "Woordenboek van de familienamen in België en Noord-Frankrijk" by Dr. Frans Debrabandere).

Project administrator: Christo Janse van Rensburg

If you are interested to administer a subset of this group, please let me know.