Janeites in History
The term "Janeite" did not surface until the late 1800s and was originally used as a way to define a (mostly male) literary elite who wanted to separate themselves from those readers who read Austen for pleasure and not as literary cannon. However, after the World Wars, the people who were considered Janeites changed and the term morphed into one meaning the exact opposite of the original use.
Janeites in the Modern Day
Jane Austen novels have always had a strong following, but the past few decades has seen a real resurgence of the Austen fandom. Whether calling themselves "Janeites" or simply fans of "Bonnet Drama", the fans of Jane Austen have gotten very vocal. Their activities include balls, teas, book readings, dramatizations of the novels, etc.