Show ContentsJamieson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Jamieson comes from the ancient Dalriadan clans of Scotland's west coast and Hebrides islands. The name comes from "son of James". [1]

Early Origins of the Jamieson family

The surname Jamieson was first found in on the Isle of Bute, where "a family named Jamieson or Neilson held the office of Crowner of Bute from the beginning of the fourteenth century or earlier to the seventeenth century. He was granted lands by Robert the Bruce for his services rendered to the King. King James II confirmed these grants later and further bestowed on the Jamiesons other territories on the Isle of Arran, particularly that of Over Kilmory. The office of Coroner (Crowner) was hereditary with the family. " [2]

Other early records include: Alexander Jemison who had a safe conduct to trade with England in 1445, William Jamyson who was tenant of Pollock in 1472, and John Jamesone was repledged to liberty of the burgh of Irvine in the same year.

Further to the south, the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed Willelmus Jamessson; Johannes Jamesman (i.e. the servant of James); and Henricus Jamsman, 1379. [3]

Early History of the Jamieson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Jamieson research. Another 139 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1465, 1528, 1539, 1587, 1588, 1644, 1676, 1677, 1685, 1689, 1700, 1720, 1769, 1780 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Jamieson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Jamieson Spelling Variations

The translation of Gaelic names in the Middle Ages was not a task undertaken with great care. Records from that era show an enormous number of spelling variations, even in names referring to the same person. Over the years Jamieson has appeared as Jamieson, Jameson, Jamison, Jamyson, Jimisone and many more.

Early Notables of the Jamieson family

Notable amongst the Clan from early times was

  • John Paul Jamieson (d. 1700), was a Scottish Roman Catholic divine and antiquary, was born at Aberdeen, and brought up in the Protestant faith, but afterwards turned Roman Catholic, and in 1677 was ad...

Jamieson World Ranking

In the United States, the name Jamieson is the 4,822nd most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. [4] However, in Canada, the name Jamieson is ranked the 571st most popular surname with an estimated 8,686 people with that name. [5] And in Australia, the name Jamieson is the 382nd popular surname with an estimated 9,728 people with that name. [6] New Zealand ranks Jamieson as 134th with 3,506 people. [7] The United Kingdom ranks Jamieson as 537th with 12,194 people. [8]

Ireland Migration of the Jamieson family to Ireland

Some of the Jamieson family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 82 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Jamieson migration to the United States +

Many of the ancestors of Dalriadan families who arrived in North America still live in communities along the east coast of Canada and the United States. In the American War of Independence many of the original settlers traveled north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries the ancestors of many Scots began recovering their collective national heritage through Clan societies, highland games, and other patriotic events. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Jamieson or a variant listed above:

Jamieson Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Stephen Jamieson, who settled in Maryland in 1633
  • David Jamieson, who settled in Boston in 1652
  • Alexander Jamieson, who landed in New Jersey in 1685 [9]
  • Archibald Jamieson, who arrived in New Jersey in 1685 [9]
Jamieson Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Mary Jamieson, aged 24, who landed in New York in 1774 [9]
Jamieson Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • William Jamieson, aged 29, who landed in Connecticut in 1812 [9]
  • Samuel Jamieson, aged 25, who landed in Maryland in 1813 [9]
  • Thomas Jamieson, who arrived in South Carolina in 1813 [9]
  • John Jamieson, who arrived in New York in 1824 [9]
  • Andrew Jamieson, who landed in New Orleans, La in 1850 [9]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Jamieson migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Jamieson Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Mr. James Jamieson U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 [10]
Jamieson Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • William Jamieson, aged 27, a farmer, who arrived in Quebec aboard the ship "Atlas" in 1815
  • Janet Jamieson, aged 17, who arrived in Quebec aboard the ship "Atlas" in 1815
  • Patrick Jamieson, who settled in Harbour Grace, Newfoundland in 1825
  • Jane Jamieson, aged 29, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Salus" in 1833
  • Samuel Jamieson, aged 30, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Salus" in 1833
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Australia Jamieson migration to Australia +

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

Jamieson Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. William Jamieson, Scottish Boatman who was convicted in Aberdeen, Scotland for life for highway robbery, transported aboard the "Asia" on 5th November 1835, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land)1836 [11]
  • Mr. Alexander Jamieson, English convict who was convicted in Portsmouth, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Bardaster" on 7th September 1835, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) [12]
  • George Jamieson, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Rajasthan" in 1838 [13]
  • James Jamieson, aged 38, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Palmyra" in 1839 [14]
  • Margaret Jamieson, aged 28, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Palmyra" in 1839 [14]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Jamieson 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:

Jamieson Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Barr Jamieson, aged 36, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Duchess of Argyle" in 1842
  • Ann Jamieson, aged 34, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Duchess of Argyle" in 1842
  • William Jamieson, aged 15, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Duchess of Argyle" in 1842
  • Jean Jamieson, aged 13, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Duchess of Argyle" in 1842
  • Ann Jamieson, aged 11, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Duchess of Argyle" in 1842
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Jamieson (post 1700) +

  • James A. Jamieson (b. 1943), American PGA professional golfer
  • James D. Jamieson (b. 1934), Canadian-born, American cell biologist and professor at Yale University
  • George W. Jamieson (1810-1868), American actor
  • Charlie "Cuckoo" Jamieson (1893-1969), American baseball player, won the 1920 World Series with the Cleveland Indians
  • Michael Jamieson (b. 1988), Scottish silver medalist swimmer at the 2012 Summer Olympics
  • John Jamieson FRSE (1759-1838), Scottish minister of religion, lexicographer, philologist and antiquary
  • James Jamieson (1840-1916), Scottish-born Australian doctor, President of the Royal Society of Victoria in 1901
  • Douglas Jamieson (1880-1952), Scottish Unionist politician and judge
  • Robert Alan Jamieson (b. 1958), Scottish poet
  • Colin John Jamieson AO JP (1923-1990), Western Australia politician, Minister for Works and Water Supplies
  • ... (Another 9 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

HMS Repulse
  • Mr. Harold W Jamieson, British Boy Telegraphist, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking [15]


The Jamieson 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: Ad littora tendit
Motto Translation: It makes for the shore.


Suggested Readings for the name Jamieson +

  • The Jamieson Family, 1747-1978 by Jamieson Family Reunion Committee.

  1. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  2. 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)
  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. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  5. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  6. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  7. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  8. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  9. 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)
  10. 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
  11. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 28th January 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1835
  12. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bardaster
  13. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) RAJASTHAN 1838. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1838Rajasthan.htm
  14. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) PALMYRA 1839. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1839Palmyra.htm
  15. HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html


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