Show ContentsJason History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Jason is a name that dates far back into the mists of early British history to the days of the Anglo-Saxon tribes. It is derived from the baptismal name for the son of Judd, which was a pet form for the Old English personal name Jordan.

Early Origins of the Jason family

The surname Jason was first found in Yorkshire where the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included Willelraus Gesson as holding lands there at that time. 1

"Jesson was the name of a minister of Prestwold in the reign of Elizabeth. Two centuries ago Sir William Jesson resided at Burleigh Park, Loughborough." 2

Early History of the Jason family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Jason research. Another 115 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1580, 1603, 1628, 1640, 1648, 1651, 1661, 1663, 1790 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Jason History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Jason Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Jason are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Jason include: Jesson, Jessen, Gesson and others.

Early Notables of the Jason family

Another 49 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Jason Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Jason Ranking

In the United States, the name Jason is the 7,202nd most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 3

Ireland Migration of the Jason family to Ireland

Some of the Jason family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 58 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Jason migration to the United States +

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Jason or a variant listed above:

Jason Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Abell Jason, who landed in Virginia in 1661 4
  • Thomas Jason, who landed in Maryland in 1661 4
Jason Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • John Jason, aged 46, who arrived in New York in 1812 4

Australia Jason migration to Australia +

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

Jason Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Richard Jason, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Navarino" in 1837 5

Contemporary Notables of the name Jason (post 1700) +

  • Rick Jason (1923-2000), born Richard Jacobson, an American actor, most remembered for starring in the ABC television drama Combat! (1962–1967)
  • Peter Jason (b. 1944), American actor, perhaps best known for his roles in Desperate Housewives and Deadwood
  • Leigh Jason (1904-1979), American film director and screenwriter
  • Anju Jason (b. 1987), Marshall Islands sportsperson, the first Marshallese person in history to qualify for the Olympics in 2008
  • Sir David John Jason OBE (b. 1940), stage name of Sir David John White, an English actor and comedian, known for his roles as Derek "Del Boy" Trotter in the BBC comedy series Only Fools and Horses, and as Detective Inspector Jack Frost in the ITV crime drama A Touch of Frost
  • Donald Jason Flamm (1899-1998), American radio pioneer who worked with people like Al Jolson and Milton Berle
  • William Jason Morgan (1935-2023), known as W. Jason Morgan, an American geophysicist who made seminal contributions to the theory of plate tectonics and geodynamics, awarded the Maurice Ewing Medal (1987), Japan Prize (1990), Wollaston Medal (1994) and the Vetlesen Prize (2000)
  • J. Jason McAnany, American researcher with the Department of Ophthalmology, University of Illinois at Chicago
  • Matthew Jason Watkins (1978-2020), Welsh international rugby union player who played as a centre for Wales (2003-2006)
  • Ian Jason Lewison (b. 1981), English heavyweight boxer


  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  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. 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)
  5. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) NAVARINO 1837. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1837Navarino.htm


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