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![Show Contents]() Jest History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The surname Jest was originally formed in the western region of Britain in the country of Wales. This name began as a nickname for a guest or stranger. The surname Jest is derived from the Old English word "gest," which in turn comes from the Old Norse Word "gestr," which means "guest" or "stranger." Early Origins of the Jest familyThe surname Jest was first found in Worcestershire, where they held a family seat from very ancient times. Early History of the Jest familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Jest research. Another 109 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1248, 1273, 1604, 1722, 1762, 1763, 1785, 1835, 1846, 1852 and 1914 are included under the topic Early Jest History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Jest Spelling VariationsWelsh surnames are relatively few in number, but they have an inordinately large number of spelling variations. There are many factors that explain the preponderance of Welsh variants, but the earliest is found during the Middle Ages when Welsh surnames came into use. Scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, which often resulted in a single person's name being inconsistently recorded over his lifetime. The transliteration of Welsh names into English also accounts for many of the spelling variations: the unique Brythonic Celtic language of the Welsh had many sounds the English language was incapable of accurately reproducing. It was also common for members of a same surname to change their names slightly, in order to signify a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations. For all of these reasons, the many spelling variations of particular Welsh names are very important. The surname Jest has occasionally been spelled Guest, Guests, Jeste and others. Early Notables of the Jest familyProminent amongst the family during the late Middle Ages was John Guest (1722-1785), a brewer, farmer and coal merchant in Broseley, Shropshire, co-founder of the Plymouth Ironworks in 1763; Sir Josiah John Guest, 1st...
Another 33 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Jest Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the Jest family to Ireland
Some of the Jest family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 41 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Jest migration to the United States | + |
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many people from Wales joined the general migration to North America in search of land, work, and freedom. These immigrants greatly contributed to the rapid development of the new nations of Canada and the United States. They also added a rich and lasting cultural heritage to their newly adopted societies. Investigation of immigration and passenger lists has revealed a number of people bearing the name Jest:
Jest Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- Xavier Jest, who landed in Washington County, Pennsylvania in 1879 1
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: Ferro non gladio
Motto Translation: By iron, not by the sword.
- 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)
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Jest migration to the United States 
Wales
Ireland
