Contents [hide]

James History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand West Indies

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Suggested Reading Citations

James History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England-Alt
England
Ireland

The ancestors of the James family arrived in England following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The name James came from the personal name Jacob, the Latin "Jacobus" via the Late Latin "Jacomus." The Latin "Jacobus" is derived from the Hebrew name Yaakov which is traditionally interpreted as coming from the Hebrew "akev," which means "heel."

Early Origins of the James family

The surname James was first found in Surrey where they were granted lands by William the Conqueror after the Norman Conquest in 1066. Anciently they held lands in Normandy as St. James.

Early History of the James family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our James research. Another 199 words (14 lines of text) covering the year 1210 is included under the topic Early James History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

James Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: James, Fitzjames, St. James, Jaimes, Geames and many more.

Early Notables of the James family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

Sir Roger James of Surrey

James World Ranking

In the United States, the name James is the 71^st most popular surname with an estimated 261,135 people with that name. 1 However, in Canada, the name James is ranked the 159^th most popular surname with an estimated 22,043 people with that name. 2 And in France, the name James is the 947^th popular surname with an estimated 5,534 people with that name. 3 Australia ranks James as 46^th with 41,206 people. 4 New Zealand ranks James as 73^rd with 4,726 people. 5 The United Kingdom ranks James as 46^th with 85,698 people. 6 South Africa ranks James as 357^th with 19,311 people. 7

Migration of the James family to Ireland

Some of the James 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.

James migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

James Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Edmund James of Northampton, who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet
Thomas James of Northamptonshire, who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet 8
Mrs. Reana James of Northamptonshire, who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet 9
Mrs. Elizabeth James of Northamptonshire, who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet. Found in Watertown. 9
Mr. William James of Northamptonshire, who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

James Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Sarah James, who landed in Virginia in 1702 8
James James, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1703 8
Abra James, who landed in Virginia in 1713 8
Harry James, who landed in Virginia in 1718 8
Henry James, who settled in Maryland in 1739
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

James Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Simon James, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1802 8
Daniel James, aged 39, who arrived in New York in 1812 8
Anthony James, aged 28, who arrived in New York in 1812 8
Jane James, who arrived in New York, NY in 1816 8
Mary James, who arrived in New York, NY in 1816 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

James Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Mr. Henry James, (b. 1877), aged 23, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "St Louis" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 29th January 1900 en route to Marquette, Michigan, USA 10
Mr. Albert James, (b. 1862), aged 41, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "St Paul" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 20th December 1902 en route to Rosedale, New Mexico, USA 10
Mr. Henry Hubert James, (b. 1873), aged 30, Cornish mining engineer travelling aboard the ship "Germanic" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 8th April 1903 en route to Helena, Montana, USA 10
Mr. James Henry James, (b. 1861), aged 42, Cornish miner from Hayle, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Philadelphia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 11th July 1903 en route to Ishpeming, Michigan, USA 10
Mr. John James, (b. 1877), aged 26, Cornish miner from St. Just, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Campania" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 25th April 1903 en route to Butte, Montana, USA 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

James migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

James Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century

Henry James who settled in Harbour Grace, Newfoundland in 1681 11

James Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. Jonas James U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on December 13, 1783 was passenger number 471 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on November 14, 1783 at East River, New York 12
Mr. Robert James U.E. who settled in Carleton [Saint John City], New Brunswick c. 1784 son of Benjamin and Sarah James 12
Mrs. Sarah James U.E., "Whitney" (née Whitney) who settled in Carleton [Saint John City], New Brunswick c. 1784 12
Mr. Stephen James U.E. who settled in Carleton [Saint John City], New Brunswick c. 1784 son of Benjamin and Sarah James 12
Mr. Benjamin James U.E. born in Connecticut, USA from Darien, Connecticut, USA who settled in Carleton [Saint John City], New Brunswick c. 1784 married to Sarah Whitney having 8 children 12
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

James Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Jane James, aged 34, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the barque "Alchymist" from Falmouth, Cornwall, England
Thomas James, aged 20, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the barque "Alchymist" from Falmouth, Cornwall, England
Ann James, aged 9, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the barque "Alchymist" from Falmouth, Cornwall, England
Caroline James, aged 7, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the barque "Alchymist" from Falmouth, Cornwall, England
George James, aged 36, a merchant, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "Lord Goderich" from London, England
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

James Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

Fred James, who landed in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1907
Walter L James, who landed in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1907

James migration to Australia +

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

James Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

Mr. Richard James, Cornish settler convicted in Cornwall, UK on 24th March 1787, sentenced for 7 years for being at large before the expiry of a sentence of transportation, transported aboard the ship "Neptune" on 19th January 1790 to New South Wales, Australia 13
Mr. Thomas James, Cornish settler convicted in Cornwall, UK on 2nd August 1790, sentenced for 7 years for burglary in the house of Reverend Ratcliffe, transported Atlantic" on 27th March 1791 to New South Wales, Australia 13

James Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. John James, British Convict who was convicted in Derby, Derbyshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Earl Cornwallis" in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
Miss Sophia James, (Rushton), Welsh convict who was convicted in Pembroke, Pembrokeshire, Wales for life, transported aboard the "Experiment" on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
Mr. George James, (Genn), English convict who was convicted in Surrey, England for life, transported aboard the "Duke of Portland" in January 1807, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
Mr. Thomas James, Cornish settler convicted in Cornwall, UK on 23rd March 1805, sentenced for 14 years for stealing tobacco from Robert Stephens of Mawgen, transported aboard the ship "Admiral Gambier" on 2nd July 1808 to New South Wales, Australia 13
Charles James, English convict from London, who was transported aboard the "Ann" on August 1809, settling in New South Wales, Australia 17
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

James migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

James Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. Stephen James, Australian settler travelling from Hobart, Tasmania, Australia aboard the ship "Bee" arriving in New Zealand in 1831 18
John James, who landed in Bay of Islands, New Zealand in 1836
John Charles James, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
William James, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Martha Ridgway
Mr. William James, British settler travelling from England aboard the ship "Martha Ridgway" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 14th November 1840 18
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

James migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 19

James Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Roger James, aged 29, who landed in St Christopher in 1635 8
Mr. Thomas James, (b. 1610), aged 25, British settler traveling aboard the ship "John" arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 20
Blanch James, a servant sent to Barbados in 1658
Elizabeth James, who settled in Barbados in 1670

James Settlers in West Indies in the 20th Century

Mr. Fred James, (b. 1877), aged 26, Cornish miner from St. Blazey, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Etruria" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 11th July 1903 en route to Cuba 10
Mr. John James, (b. 1860), aged 43, English builder from Carn Kea, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Etruria" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 11th July 1903 en route to Cuba 10

Contemporary Notables of the name James (post 1700) +

Phyllis Dorothy James "P D" James OBE, FRSA, FRSL (1920-2014), Baroness James of Holland Park, English mystery novelist, best known for her detective novels featuring policeman and poet Adam Dalgliesh
Henry James OM (1843-1916), American author and novelist, generally regarded to be among the greatest novelists in the English language, nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1911, 1912, and 1916
Derwin Alonzo James Jr. (b. 1996), American football safety for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League
Mark Howard James (1961-2023), American hip hop producer and DJ, professionally known as The 45 King and also known as DJ Mark the 45 King
Lee Roy James (1953-2023), American Olympic two-time silver medalist weightlifter
Harold James (1942-2022), American Democratic politician from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives (2012-2013)
Alex St. James, American Republican politician, Candidate for Governor of California, 2003 21
Robert "Bob" Dennis James (1952-2021), American rock singer-songwriter who was best known for his work with the band Montrose
Paul James (1931-2018), American sportscaster and longtime play-by-play announcer on KSL 1160-AM radio broadcasts of football and basketball games
Arthur Horace James (1883-1973), American politician, Governor of Pennsylvania from 1939-1943
... (Another 46 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the James family +

Halifax Explosion

Mr. John Thomas James (1881-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 22

HMAS Sydney II

Mr. Martin Curtis James (1921-1941), Australian Able Seaman from Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 23

HMS Halsted

Mr. Jack James (b. 1915), Scottish Royal Navy able seaman from Cromarty, Highland, Scotland was stationed aboard the "HMS Halsted" when it was struck by torpedo by Jaguar and Mowe of the Cherbourg coast on 11th June 1944, he did not survive

HMS Hood

Mr. Phillip A James (b. 1922), English Ordinary Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Radford, Coventry, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 24
Mr. Leonard A James (b. 1917), English Leading Stoker serving for the Royal Navy from Leonard, Cheshire, Coventry, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 24

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. William Kenneth James, British Bandboy, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 25
Mr. Ray James (b. 1917), "Jimmie" English Ordinary Seaman from England, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 25
Mr. C James, British Able Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 25
Mr. A James, British Leading Stoker, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 25

HMS Repulse

Mr. Ernest W James, British Ordinary Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 26
Mr. William Trevor James, British Able Bodied Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and died in the sinking 26

HMS Royal Oak

Roland James (1921-1939), British Seaman with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 27
Leslie Joseph James (1923-1939), British Boy 1st Class with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 27

Mount Mulligan Mine

George Doran James, Australian coal miner who was killed in the Mount Mulligan Mine explosion in 1921
George Robert James, Australian coal miner who was killed in the Mount Mulligan Mine explosion in 1921

Prince of Wales colliery

Mr. William James (b. 1853), Welsh coal miner who was working at the Prince of Wales Colliery in Abercarn, Wales on the 11th September 1878 when there was a coal mine explosion; he died 28
Mr. Rowland James (b. 1846), Welsh coal miner who was working at the Prince of Wales Colliery in Abercarn, Wales on the 11th September 1878 when there was a coal mine explosion; he died 28
Mr. Lewis James (b. 1864), Welsh coal miner who was working at the Prince of Wales Colliery in Abercarn, Wales on the 11th September 1878 when there was a coal mine explosion; he died 28
Mr. David James (b. 1848), Welsh coal miner who was working at the Prince of Wales Colliery in Abercarn, Wales on the 11th September 1878 when there was a coal mine explosion; he died 28

RMS Lusitania

Mr. Oswald James, English 1st Class Steward from Clubmoor, Liverpool, England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 29
Miss Violet Isabel James, Canadian 3rd Class passenger from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 29

RMS Titanic

Mr. Thomas James (d. 1912), aged 27, English Fireman/Stoker from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 30

Senghenydd colliery

Mr. David John James (b. 1879), Welsh coal miner from Senghenydd, Caerphilly, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died
Mr. Edward James (b. 1897), Welsh coal miner from Abertridwr, Caerphilly, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died
Mr. Evan Hopkin James (b. 1871), Welsh coal miner from Senghenydd, Caerphilly, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died
Mr. Richard James (b. 1887), Welsh coal miner from Senghenydd, Caerphilly, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died
Mr. Thomas James (b. 1885), Welsh coal miner from Senghenydd, Caerphilly, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died

SS Southern Cross

Mr. Lemuel James (1884-1914), Newfoundlander from Bryant's Cove who was aboard the "SS Southern Cross" when it is suspected she sank between the 31st March 1914 and early April during the storm with a heavy load of pelts; no survivors were ever found
Mr. William James (1891-1914), Newfoundlander from Bryant's Cove who was aboard the "SS Southern Cross" when it is suspected she sank between the 31st March 1914 and early April during the storm with a heavy load of pelts; no survivors were ever found
Mr. Isaac James (1876-1914), Newfoundlander from Bryant's Cove who was aboard the "SS Southern Cross" when it is suspected she sank between the 31st March 1914 and early April during the storm with a heavy load of pelts; no survivors were ever found

USS Arizona

Mr. John Burditt James, American Seaman First Class from Texas, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 31

Winter Quarters coal mine

Mr. George Joseph James (b. 1880), English mine worker from Oldbury residing in Coalville, Summit, Utah who worked in the Winter Quarters coal mine on 1st May 1900, when 10 of the 25lb kegs of black powder exploded; he died in the explosion 32
Mr. John Henry James, English mine worker residing in Coalville, Summit, Utah who worked in the Winter Quarters coal mine on 1st May 1900, when 10 of the 25lb kegs of black powder exploded; he died in the explosion 32

Citations +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
"Most Common Last Names in South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/surnames
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)
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved January 6th 2023 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 30th May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_australia_convicts.pdf
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-cornwallis
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel-and-experiment
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 28th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/duke-of-portland
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Ann voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1809 with 200 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/ann/1809
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved October 4th 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/daphne
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 2) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
Entombed in flood and flame (retrieved 3rd August 2021). Retrieved from https://web.archive.org/web/20120603025705/http://www.crosskeys.me.uk/history/prince.htm
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html
Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html
Miners killed in Winter Quarters (retrieved 28th July 2021). Retrieved from http://www.carbon-utgenweb.com/miners.html