Show ContentsJarnagin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Today's generation of the Jarnagin family bears a name that was brought to England by the migration wave that was started by the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Jarnagin family lived in Suffolk. "The surname, now rare, is found particularly in Suffolk where Little Stonham, also known as Stanham Gernagan (1244 Feet of Fines for Suffolk), was long held by the family of Hubert Jarnegan (1222 Feet of Fines for Suffolk). In [the Domesday Book of ] 1086 [1] land was held in Stonham by Earl Alan and Iuichel the priest and there can be little doubt that Gernagan is a Celtic name brought over by the Bretons at the Conquest." [2]

Early Origins of the Jarnagin family

The surname Jarnagin was first found in Norfolk, where one of the first records of the name appeared as a forename: Jernegan Fitz-Hugh who was listed there in 1180. The surname was probably derived as someone who was "the son of Gernegan." Jernegan was anciently a Christian name that appeared in quite a few records. "The first that I meet with of this family was called Hugh, without any other addition, whose son was named Jernegan Fitz-Hugh, or the son of Hugh; he is mentioned in the Castle-Acre priory register, and he died about 1182."

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list William Gernegon in Norfolk and Walter Gernegan in Suffolk. [3] The Jernegan spelling was used by Lord Stafford's ancestors until the 16th century when the name was changed to Jerningham. His successors took the baptismal name Jernegan as their surname. [4]

"A branch of the Jerningham family was established at Painswick, in Bisley hundred [in Gloucestershire]. Sir Henry Jerningham, the second Baronet of his family, married Mary, daughter of Benedict Hall, of High Meadow, Esq." [5]

Early History of the Jarnagin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Jarnagin research. Another 181 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1182, 1222, 1547, 1550, 1553, 1571 and 1762 are included under the topic Early Jarnagin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Jarnagin Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Jarnagin include Jernegan, Jerningham, Jernygham, Jernigan, Jenningham, Jenningan and many more.

Early Notables of the Jarnagin family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Sir Henry Jerningham (d. 1571), an adherent of Queen Mary, the eldest son and heir of Sir Edward Jernegan of Huntingfield, Suffolk, by his second wife, Mary, daughter of Lord Scroop. The manor of Cossey (or Costessy), Norfolk, was granted him in 1547, and he thus became the founder of the Cossey branch of the Jernegan family, spelling the name Jerningham to distinguish his branch from the Somerleyton Jernegans. " He was the first to appear openly...
Another 84 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Jarnagin Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Jarnagin Ranking

In the United States, the name Jarnagin is the 14,869th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. [6]


United States Jarnagin migration to the United States +

In England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Jarnagins to arrive on North American shores:

Jarnagin Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Lawrence A. Jarnagin, aged 18, who arrived in New York in 1918 aboard the ship "Advance" from Cristobal, Canal Zone [7]
  • Charles Jarnagin, aged 45, who arrived in New York in 1920 aboard the ship "Ulua" from Cristobal [7]
  • Eula Jarnagin, aged 44, who arrived in New York in 1921 aboard the ship "Chicago" from Le Havre, France [7]
  • Charles S. Jarnagin, aged 49, who arrived in New York in 1924 aboard the ship "American Legion" from Buenos Aires, Argentina [7]

Contemporary Notables of the name Jarnagin (post 1700) +

  • Spencer Jarnagin (1792-1853), American politician, United States Senator from Tennessee (1843 to 1847)


The Jarnagin Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Virtus basis vitae
Motto Translation: Virtue is the support of life.


  1. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  4. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  5. Oliver, George, Collections Illustrating the History of the Catholic Religion in the Counties of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Wilts, and Gloucester London: Charles Dolman, 61, New Bond Street, 1857. Print
  6. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  7. Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result


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