This unusual name is of early medieval German origin, and is one of the many diminutive forms of the surname Johann(es), from the male personal name which was adopted from the Hebrew name "Yochanan", "Jehovah has favoured (me with a son)", or "may Jehovah favour (this child)". This name was adopted into Latin as "Johannes", and has enjoyed great popularity in Europe throughout the Christian era, being given in honour of St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist, as well as for the nearly one thousand other saints of the name. In every European country there are a great number and variety of surnames generated by this given name; diminutives, patronymics, and diminutives from patronymics. Johl is a contracted form of Johler or Johel, diminutives of Johann; one Johl Hassel is recorded in Miessen in 1402. Examples of the name from German Church Registers include: the christening of Johan, son of Joachim Johl, in Berlin, on February 15th 1701, and the christening of Christina, daughter of David Johl, on November 26th 1744 in Prenzlau. The Coat of Arms most associated with the name depicts a silver bend between two silver estoiles on a blue shield. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Sigmund Johl, which was dated 1411, in Medieval German Records, during the reign of Sigismund of Luxembourg, 1410 - 1437. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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