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Show ContentsJacobs History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
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Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

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Jacobs is an ancient Anglo-Saxon surname that came from the baptismal name Jacob. The surname Jacobs referred to the son of Jacob which belongs to the category of patronymic surnames.

"The medieval surname was not Jewish. Jacob is found before the Conquest as the name of an ecclesiastic. After the Conquest, it is impossible to decide how common the name was as the Latin Jacobus was used for both Jacob and James." 1

Early Origins of the Jacobs family

The surname Jacobs was first found in Huntingdonshire where Jacob (with no forename) was listed c. 1250. The same rolls included Walter Jacob. Agnes Jacobes was found in Bedfordshire in 1244 and Alan Jacob was listed in the Feet of Fines for Kent in 1324. 1

"Nicholas Jacob was rector of Burgh in 1419; and William Jacob was a cavalier of Mendham in 1642; the name was also represented in Creeting in Suffolk in 1648. In the reign of Edward I. we find this name in Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, and Oxfordshire." 2

Early History of the Jacobs family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Jacobs research. Another 159 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1290, 1563, 1564, 1588, 1597, 1620, 1623, 1624, 1640, 1641, 1662, 1666, 1667, 1675, 1679, 1688, 1692, 1693, 1703, 1722 and 1739 are included under the topic Early Jacobs History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Jacobs Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Jacobs has been recorded under many different variations, including Jacobs, Jacob and others.

Early Notables of the Jacobs family

Distinguished members of the family include

  • George Jacobs, Sr. (c.1620-1692), was accused of witchcraft during the Salem witch trials in 1692, and was found guilty and hanged on August 19, 1692. A painting entitled "Trial of George Jacobs, Augu...

Jacobs World Ranking

In the United States, the name Jacobs is the 231st most popular surname with an estimated 114,402 people with that name. 3 However, in Canada, the name Jacobs is ranked the 721st most popular surname with an estimated 7,440 people with that name. 4 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Jacobs is the 278th popular surname with an estimated 160 people with that name. 5 France ranks Jacobs as 4,714th with 1,500 - 2,000 people. 6 Australia ranks Jacobs as 491st with 7,794 people. 7 New Zealand ranks Jacobs as 435th with 1,546 people. 8 The United Kingdom ranks Jacobs as 596th with 10,973 people. 9 Netherlands ranks Jacobs as 29th with 22,312 people. 10 South Africa ranks Jacobs as 17th with 130,364 people. 11

Ireland Migration of the Jacobs family to Ireland

Some of the Jacobs family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 45 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

United States Jacobs migration to the United States +

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Jacobs or a variant listed above:

Jacobs Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Cathalina Jacobs, aged 24, who landed in New Netherland(s) in 1639 12
  • Brechtgen Jacobs, aged 45, who landed in New York in 1642 12
  • Tryntje Jacobs, who landed in New York in 1650 12
  • Anna Jacobs, who arrived in New York in 1658 12
  • Epke Jacobs, who landed in New York in 1659 12
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Jacobs Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Barth Jacobs, who arrived in New York in 1709 12
  • Philip Jacobs, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1738 12
  • Adam Jacobs, who arrived in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1761
  • Adam Jacobs, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1761 12
  • Conrad Jacobs, who arrived in America in 1780 12
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Jacobs Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Isaac Jacobs, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1802 12
  • Israel Benjamin Jacobs, aged 22, who arrived in New York in 1803 12
  • Rosina Jacobs, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1806 12
  • Thomas Jacobs, aged 47, who arrived in Maine in 1812 12
  • John Jacobs, aged 26, who arrived in New York in 1812 12
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Jacobs Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Mr. Richard Jacobs, (b. 1871), aged 29, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "St Louis" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 29th April 1900 en route to Hancock, Michigan, USA 13
  • Jake Jacobs, who landed in Mississippi in 1900 12
  • David Jacobs, who landed in Arkansas in 1906 12

Canada Jacobs migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Jacobs Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Mrs. W. Jacobs, aged 26 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Wandsworth" departing from the port of Dublin, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle In May 1847 14

Australia Jacobs migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Jacobs Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Samuel Jacobs, British convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Calcutta" in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
  • Mr. William Jacobs, British convict who was convicted in Southampton, England for life, transported aboard the "Calcutta" in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
  • Ralph Jacobs, English convict from London, who was transported aboard the "Almorah" on April 1817, settling in New South Wales, Australia 16
  • Mr. Moss Jacobs, English convict who was convicted in Surrey, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Canada" on 23rd April 1819, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17
  • Mr. David Jacobs, English convict who was convicted in Kent, England for life, transported aboard the "Dromedary" on 11th September 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 18
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Jacobs migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Jacobs Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • John Jacobs, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Mandarin" in 1841
  • Sarah Jacobs, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Mandarin" in 1841
  • Mr. Jonathon Jacobs, (b. 1806), aged 49, British agricultural labourer travelling from London aboard the ship "Grasmere" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 4th May 1855 19
  • Mrs. Anne Jacobs, (b. 1817), aged 38, British laundress travelling from London aboard the ship "Grasmere" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 4th May 1855 19
  • Miss Harriet Jacobs, (b. 1842), aged 13, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Grasmere" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 4th May 1855 19
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Jacobs (post 1700) +

  • Rosetta Jacobs (1932-2023), American actress known as Piper Laurie, known for her roles in films The Huslter (1961), Carrie (1976) and The Thorn Birds (1983)
  • Ray Davon Jacobs (1992-2023), known professionally as AUGUST 08, an American musician and singer who co-wrote the Billboard topping hit "I'm the One"
  • David Jacobs (1939-2023), American television writer, producer, director and creator of the CBS primetime series Dallas, Knots Landing, and Paradise
  • Kyle Christopher Jacobs (1973-2023), American country music songwriter, vocalist, guitarist, pianist
  • Keith Thomas "Tommy" Jacobs Jr. (1935-2022), American PGA golfer and golf course owner/operator who played on the PGA Tour and the Champions Tour, older brother of John Jacobs
  • Angela Sue Jacobs (1969-2022), American two-time Emmy Award winning anchor and reporter in Tampa Bay, Florida
  • Harry Edwards Jacobs (1937-2021), American professional American Football League (AFL) and National Football League (NFL) player from Canton, Illinois
  • Gregory Edward Jacobs (1963-2021), known professionally as Shock G, an American rapper who was best known as the lead vocalist of the hip hop group Digital Underground
  • Frank Jacobs (1929-2021), American author of satires, known primarily for his work in Mad (1957 to 2014)
  • Kristin Diane Jacobs (1959-2020), American politician who served as a member of the Florida House of Representatives
  • ... (Another 27 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
HMS Repulse
  • Mr. Albert Edward Jacobs (1898-1945), English Gunnery Officer from Portchester, Southampton, England, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse and survived the sinking, later lost in 1945 20
HMS Royal Oak
  • E. Jacobs, British Engine Room Artificer 5th Class with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he survived the sinking 21
  • Walter Arthur Charles Jacobs (1919-1939), British Stoker 2nd Class with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 21
RMS Lusitania
  • Mrs. Liba Bella Jacobs, English 3rd Class passenger from London, England, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking and was recovered 22

Suggested Readings for the name Jacobs +

  • A History and Genealogy of the Pritchett, Rimmer, Jacobs, et al by Dorothy Symmonds.
  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  3. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  4. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  5. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  6. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  7. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  8. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  9. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  10. "Most Common Last Names in Netherlands." Forebears, https://forebears.io/netherlands/surnames
  11. "Most Common Last Names in South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/surnames
  12. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  13. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
  14. Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 35)
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/calcutta
  16. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Almorah voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1817 with 180 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/almorah/1817
  17. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 9th December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/canada
  18. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/dromedary
  19. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  20. HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
  21. Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
  22. Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
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