Jaeger History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

In the ancient German province of Westphalia, the surname Jaeger evolved. It is a nickname, a style of hereditary surname that developed out of the traditional German eke-names, that identified people by naming them after a physical characteristic or other identifiable trait. Jaeger is a name for a person who was known for his prowess and wisdom as a hunter. The name Jaeger is derived from the German word "jage," which is derived from Old German word "jagen," which means "to hunt." Hunting was considered a knightly pursuit during the feudal era.

Early Origins of the Jaeger family

The surname Jaeger was first found in the county of Mark (Dortmund,) where the family was anciently associated with the political and religious conflicts of the area. They declared allegiances to many nobles and princes of early history, lending their influence in struggles for power and status within the region. The family founded numerous branches, many of which acquired manors and estates in surrounding regions, where they contributed to the prosperity of their society. Ancient chronicles first mention a branch of the family acquiring the estates of Kaackstedt and Ringenwalde in the district of Templin around 1376, and the estate of Zehlendorf in the district of Nieder-Barnim, around 1451. Venator, the Latin form of the name, often appears in chronicles in place of Jaeger.

Early History of the Jaeger family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Jaeger research. Another 336 words (24 lines of text) covering the years 1678, 1698, 1771, 1780 and 1843 are included under the topic Early Jaeger History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Jaeger Spelling Variations

Many cultural groups lived in the German states in medieval times. Each had its own dialect and traditions, and unique variations of popular names. Low German, which is similar to contemporary Dutch, was spoken in Westphalia. German names are characterized by additions such as regional suffixes and phrases that tell something about the origin or background of its original bearer. Further contributing to the variation in German names was the fact that there were no spelling rules in medieval times: scribes recorded names according to their sound. The recorded spelling variations of Jaeger include Jaeger, Jeger, Jager, Jaegger, Jegger, Jagger, Jaegers, Jagers, Jaggers, Jaeggers and many more.

Early Notables of the Jaeger family

Notables of the period with the name Jaeger were

Heinrich Christroph Jaeger, who was a professor of law in Passau and Privy Councillor and royal advisor to the Prince of Passau...
Georg Marx Jaeger was the head of a trading-house and member of the council in Breslau...

Jaeger Ranking

In the United States, the name Jaeger is the 3,326^th most popular surname with an estimated 9,948 people with that name. 1 However, in France, the name Jaeger is ranked the 4,685^th most popular surname with an estimated 1,500 - 2,000 people with that name. 2

Jaeger migration to the United States +

After 1650, thousands of German settlers came to North America to escape the religious persecution and poverty that wracked Europe and to make the most of the opportunity to own their own land in a new country. They settled across the United States in Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California, and in Canada in Ontario and on the fertile plains of the prairie provinces. Among them:

Jaeger Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Daniel Jaeger, who landed in New York in 1709 3
Wendel Jaeger, who landed in New York, NY in 1709 3
Johan Wilhelm Jaeger, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1752-1753 3
Andreas Jaeger, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1764 3
Johann Leonhardt Jaeger, who settled in America in 1777
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Jaeger Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Benedict Jaeger, who settled in New York State in 1831
Benedict Jaeger, who arrived in New York in 1831 3
Hermann Jaeger, who settled in Texas in 1836
Carl Jaeger, aged 47, who landed in Missouri in 1841 3
John Jaeger, aged 23, who landed in Missouri in 1845 3
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Jaeger migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Jaeger Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Joachim Jaeger, who landed in Quebec in 1850

Contemporary Notables of the name Jaeger (post 1700) +

Karl Jaeger (1930-2015), American educator, writer and artist
Andrea Jaeger (b. 1965), American professional tennis player
Jeff Jaeger (b. 1964), American football player, played with the Oakland Raiders and the Chicago Bears in the National Football League
Maureen Jaeger, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Florida, 2004 4
J. J. Jaeger, American politician, Village President of Libertyville, Illinois, 1953 4
Harold Jaeger, American politician, Mayor of Salina, Kansas, 1958-59 4
George Jaeger, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Vermont, 2004 4
Emil Jaeger, American politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Illinois 5th District, 1918 4
Edmund Jaeger, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Iowa, 1876 4
Edith A. Jaeger, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from California, 1944, 1948 4
... (Another 7 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Citations +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
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)
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 7) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html