Janet History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
France

The history of the name Janet begins with the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is derived from the biblical name of Jane. This name was first used in England during the 15th century, and was originally derived from the Old French Jehanne, which also had biblical origins from Johannes.

"This surname is derived from the name of an ancestor, 'the son of Jan,' from diminutive Janet or Janot." 1

Early Origins of the Janet family

The surname Janet was first found in Yorkshire, where Willelmus filius Jonet was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for 1297. A few years later at Wakefield, Jonot (with no forename ) was listed in 1308 and down in Cornwall, we found John Joney in 1297. The Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1327 reordered Roberts and Simon Janot. 2

Early Somerset records show Henry Janet, 1 Edward III (during the first year of the reign of Edward III.) 3

Early History of the Janet family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Janet research. Another 226 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1297, 1300, 1327, 1500 and 1781 are included under the topic Early Janet History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Janet 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. Janet has been recorded under many different variations, including Janot, Janet, Jonet, Jannet, Janett, Janette, Jannett, Jenet, Jennet, Jenett and many more.

Early Notables of the Janet family

More information is included under the topic Early Janet Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Janet migration to Canada +

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 Janet or a variant listed above:

Janet Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Claude-Joseph Janet married in 1759 in Longueuil, Quebec

Contemporary Notables of the name Janet (post 1700) +

Claire Janet Tomlinson (1944-2022), née Lucas, an English polo player and pony breeder, the highest-rated female polo player and coached the English national team she once captained
Mary Janet Climpson (d. 1940), British Salvation Army officer interred in Dieppe Canadian War Cemetery
Dr. Alison Janet Elliot C.B.E., O.B.E., FRSE, (b. 1948), British Associate Director for Centre for Theology and Public Issues for University of Edinburgh, was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire on 8th June 2018, for public service 4
Ms. Caroline Janet Gard B.E.M., British recipient of Medallist of the British Empire Medal 29th December 2018 for services to Young People and to Charity 4
Martha Janet Lafferty (1921-2007), birth name of Janet Blair, American film and television actress
Susan Janet Payne, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Georgia, 1996 5
Marion Janet Greeves MBE (1894-1979), née Cadbury, English politician, the first one of two female members of the Senate of Northern Ireland
Patricia Janet Scotland (b. 1955), Baroness Scotland of Asthal, a Labour Party life peer, Shadow Attorney General (2010-2011), Attorney General for England and Wales (2007-2010), Advocate General for Northern Ireland in 2010, Attorney General for Northern Ireland (2007-2010)
Kay Janet Denman (b. 1937), Australian politician, Senator for Tasmania (1993-2005)
Marion Janet Harron (1903-1972), United States Tax Court judge

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
"Birthday and New Year Honours Lists (1940 to 2019)." Issue 62507, 28 December 2018 | London Gazette, The Gazette, Dec. 2018, www.thegazette.co.uk/honours-lists
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 29) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html