Show ContentsJenkerson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Jenkerson is from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of the Britain and comes from the baptismal name for the son of Jenkin, which was a diminutive of John. 1

Baptismal names are a type of patronymic surname, which come from religious and vernacular given name traditions. In this case, the surname Jenkerson derived from the popular biblical name John, which comes from John the Apostle.

Early Origins of the Jenkerson family

The surname Jenkerson was first found in Yorkshire where the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 include Robert (Robertus) Jonkinson and Johannes Jonkynson as holding lands there at that time. (Bardlsey)

Years later, William Jenkynson was listed as a Freeman of York in 1484. 1

Early History of the Jenkerson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Jenkerson research. Another 92 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1546, 1553, 1555, 1557, 1611, 1661, 1677, 1727, 1750, 1752, 1780 and 1808 are included under the topic Early Jenkerson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Jenkerson Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Jenkerson has been spelled many different ways, including Jenkinson, Jankinson and others.

Early Notables of the Jenkerson family

Distinguished members of the family include Anthony Jenkinson (d. 1611), English explorer, merchant, sea-captain, and traveller. When still a youth he was sent, in 1546, into the Levant as training for a mercantile career. " In 1553 he was at Aleppo, and wrote an account of the entry of Solyman the Great on 4 Nov. From Solyman he obtained a ‘safe-conduct or privilege,’ permitting him to trade in Turkish ports, ‘with his ship or ships or other vessels,’ without hindrance, and free of any extraordinary custom or toll. In 1555 he was admitted a member of the Mercers' Company, and in...
Another 139 words (10 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Jenkerson Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Jenkerson family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Jenkersons to arrive in North America: Frances and Oliver Jenkinson settled in Virginia in 1623 with Robert; B.A. Jessie, John, Joseph, Mathew, Robert, Thomas and William Jenkinson all arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860..



The Jenkerson 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: Pareo non servo
Motto Translation: I am obedient no servile.


  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)


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