It was common naming practice in Germany to give every son a first (religious) name of Johann, which would be interpreted as John in English. But each son was given a middle name that they would actually be called. Examples, Johann Conrad Mueller, Johann Phillip Mueller, Johann Michael Mueller, etc. After emigration, etc., the Johann would be dropped and the person known simply as Conrad Mueller or Phillip Mueller or Michael Mueller. Many researchers are not aware of this or forget this simple fact when searching surname lists. If a son were named Johannes, however, he would actually be called Johannes, which of course is John in English. For what it's worth. Don Hickman >> I have always thought that the American version of Johann was John. Now I have run across the name Jois, or Joes, of a person who may have become John in the US. Are these names interchangeable? Also Johannes. Meg Nelson California USA >>