Show ContentsJaegers History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

In the ancient German province of Westphalia, the surname Jaegers 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. Jaegers is a name for a person who was known for his prowess and wisdom as a hunter. The name Jaegers 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 Jaegers family

The surname Jaegers 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 Jaegers family

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

Jaegers 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 Jaegers include Jaeger, Jeger, Jager, Jaegger, Jegger, Jagger, Jaegers, Jagers, Jaggers, Jaeggers and many more.

Early Notables of the Jaegers family

Notables of the period with the name Jaegers were Heinrich Christroph Jaeger, who was a professor of law in Passau and Privy Councillor and royal advisor to the Prince...
Another 29 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Jaegers Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Jaegers family

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: Johann Leonhardt Jaeger, who settled in America in 1777. Benedict Jaeger settled in New York State in 1831; while Hermann Jaeger settled in Texas in 1836. Peter Jager arrived in Philadelphia in 1734..


Contemporary Notables of the name Jaegers (post 1700) +

  • Raymond L. Jaegers (b. 1903), American Republican politician, Floyd County Sheriff, 1939-42; Mayor of New Albany, Indiana, 1943-44 [1]


  1. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 7) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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