Jee History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland
England

Jee is one of the proud Scottish names to come from the Strathclyde clans of the Scottish/English Borderlands. It is derived from the personal name Gee. The origins of the surname Jee are extremely uncertain. In fact, many forms of the name did not appear prior to the 16th century. The existence of the patronym Geeson, suggests that the name is indeed of patronymic origin. Patronymic names are merely one of many types of surnames, which belongs to the category of hereditary surnames. Many patronyms arose out of the religious and vernacular naming traditions, which adopted the names of famous figures as surnames. The most common form of patronym, however, was taken from the given name of the father of the bearer. The Jee family was found in Scotland, in Dumfriesshire, in the early Middle Ages.

Early Origins of the Jee family

The surname Jee was first found in Dumfriesshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Dhùn Phris), a Southern area, bordering on England that today forms part of the Dumfries and Galloway Council Area. Another source claims the name was derived from the Irish MagAoidh, meaning 'son of Aodh,' and in Scotland, more often than not the "Mac" or "Mc" prefix was used.

Gilmighel Mac Ethe of Dumfries rendered homage to King Edward I of England in 1296. and a year later, Gille Michel MacGethe was thanked by Edward I for putting down evildoers and for other services. The following year Neel McEthe, Gillecryst McEthe, Hoen McEthe, Cuthbert his brother, and all of the lineage of Clenafren, made submission to Edward I. Gilbert McGeth was custumar or collector of customs in the burgh of Kirkcudbrith in 1331. 1

Later, some of the family were found further south in England, specifically Cheshire where Dicon Gee was listed in the Stockport Parish in 1494, and Thomas Gee and Anne Lowe were married at Prestbury, Cheshire in 1562.

Uxor Johis Gee de Godley Hall was buried in Longendale, Cheshire in 1500. In this case, "this surname is derived from a geographical locality. 'of Gee,' now Gee Cross, a prosperous village in the parish of Stockport. That all our Gees hail from this spot admits of no doubt. The local registers teem with them. A glance at the index to Earwaker's East Cheshire will show that they had early spread themselves out into the surrounding country." 2

Early History of the Jee family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Jee research. Another 123 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1331, 1424, 1426, 1565, 1582, 1586, 1595, 1596, 1613, 1618, 1619, 1639, 1657, 1660, 1682, 1705 and 1730 are included under the topic Early Jee History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Jee Spelling Variations

The many spelling variations in Medieval Scottish names result from the fact that scribes in that era spelled words according to sound. Translation too, was an undeveloped science, and many names were altered into complete obscurity. Over the years Jee has been spelled Gee, MacGee, MacGhie, MacGhee, Magee and others.

Early Notables of the Jee family

Notable amongst the family at this time was Michael Magy, a kinsman of the tyrant David Menzies in Orkney, is mentioned in 1424; Gilbert M'Gy was styled lord of Balmage in 1426; Ion M'Ghey was vicar and minister of Kildalton, 1595; and William MacGee, Dean of Cork and Archbishop of York.Edward Gee (1565-1618), was an English divine, son of Ralph Gee of Manchester. He entered as servitor of Merton College, Oxford, on 22 Feb. 1582. He graduated B.A. in 1586, and two years after was elected fellow of Brasenose College. 3Edward Gee (1613-1660), was a Presbyterian divine and thought by Wood...
Another 122 words (9 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Jee Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Jee family to Ireland

Some of the Jee family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Jee migration to the United States +

To escape the uncertainties and discrimination faced in Scotland, many decided to head out for North America. Once they arrived, many Scots fought with relish in the American War of Independence; some went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Many ancestors of these Scots have recovered their lost national heritage in the 20th century through Clan organizations and Scottish historical societies. Among the settlers to North America were:

Jee Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Lily Jee, aged 17, who immigrated to the United States, in 1896
Reeves Jee, aged 32, who immigrated to America, in 1896

Jee Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

James Henry Jee, aged 34, who immigrated to the United States from England, London, in 1907
Jenny Jee, aged 32, who settled in America from England, London, in 1907
Ah Jee, aged 21, who settled in America from London, England, in 1909
Sing Jee, aged 22, who landed in America from London, England, in 1909
Luthen M. Jee, aged 30, who landed in America from London, England, in 1914
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Jee (post 1700) +

Rupert Jee (b. 1956), American entrepreneur and television celebrity
Joseph William "Joe" Jee (b. 1883), English professional footballer who played from 1909 to 1915
Joseph Jee VC, CB (1819-1899), English soldier and surgeon, recipient of the Victoria Cross for an Act of Bravery, 25th September, 1857, Honorary Surgeon to the Queen

Citations +

Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print