SURNAMES BEGINNING WITH "J"

[Jackson], [Jacobs], [Jagger], [James], [Jardine], [Jarman], [Jarvis], [Jasper], [Jeffreys], [Jenkins], [Jennings], [Johnson], [Johnstone], [Joiner], [Jones], [Joyner], [Junkin] 

JACKSON - "Jack" is a common alternative for the first name John and the surname might simply reflect a variation of a familiar practice ie that of identifying a son with his father eg Jack's son. The forename "Jack" possibly arrived in Britain with the forces of William the Conqueror and was an obvious derivation of the French Christian name Jacques.

JACOBS - Based on an early Biblical name which has been pluralized to reflect a second generation of males within the family ie Jacobs son, which has been contracted over time. The later first name "Jacob" is possibly derived from the Latin name "Jacobus".

JAGGER - Thought to originate from an occupational name for a Carter or Carrier of Iron Ore, the term relating specifically to the carts used.

JAMES - One of the 12 Apostles who served Christ and no doubt brought to Britain in one form or another either during the later Roman period or during the later Christian conversion of the country by foreign clerics. Commonly used as a first name, the practice of identifying a son with his father would have led to the development of the name Jameson which was then eventually contracted back to its original form. The Christian name James gained increasing popularity during the 16th and 17th centuries following the reigns of both James I and James II of England.

JARDINE - This typically Scottish family name is thought to derive from an occupational title for a man who worked as a gardener.

JARMAN - Thought to have its roots in the Latin name "Germanus" meaning "kinsman", it is also worth considering that it might be a corruption of the later national title GERMAN.

JARVIS - Possibly originating from the Norman name "Gervaise" which was introduced with the forces of William the Conqueror in the 11th Century.

JASPER - Reported to be a version of the English forename Casper

JEFFREYS - Said to have been brought to Britain by the Normans, but as the forename Geoffrey which was later altered. The development of Jeffrey's simply reflects the identification of a son with his father ie Jeffrey's son, which has been contracted over time. Variations on the theme are thought to include Jefferson, etc

JENKINS - The "Jen" or "Jenks" prefix is thought to be an informal variation of the more recognisable forename John, with the "kin" suffix  thought to be derived from the word "kin" or "kinship" indicating a direct family connection from one person to another.

JENNINGS - As above, this family name is thought to be a derivation of the forename John

JOHNSON - Simply a reflection of the commonly accepted practice of associating father and son ie "Johns son" which has been formally contracted over time.

JOHNSTONE - Unlike its similar sounding counterpart, Johnson, this may well be related to a place rather than a person. It is possible that its foundation relates in some way to the disciple St John and possible monuments dedicated to his memory.

JOINER - A tradesmen who worked with wood and whose craft attached itself to him and his family.

JONES - Despite its close association with the principality of Wales, this very common surname is generally associated with the Biblical and everyday forename John and possibly James. It is thought that it simply represents a contraction of the personal title "Johns son" which has been amended and corrupted over time, or that the first name John was altered to "Jon", with the "es" added later, to indicate a father/son relationship. The presence of the "e" in its modern form has led to speculation that the first name James has also been instrumental to its later development, but this seems unlikely.

JOYNER - An occupational name for a skilled wood worker, which today is called a JOINER.

JUNKIN - The "Jun" prefix might indicate a derivation or corruption of the forename John, with the "kin" suffix possibly deriving from the word "kin" or "kinship" indicating a family connection from one person to another.

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