Show ContentsJones History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Jones Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Jones

What does the name Jones mean?

While the ancestors of the bearers of Jones came from ancient Welsh-Celtic origins, the name itself has its roots in Christianity. This surname comes from the personal name John, which is derived from the Latin Johannes, meaning "Yahweh is gracious."

This name has always been common in Britain, rivaling William in popularity by the beginning of the 14th century. The feminine form Joan, or Johanna in Latin, was also popular, and the surname Jones may be derived from either the male or female name. "Though its origins are in England, the surname is predominately held by people of Welsh extraction due to the overwhelming use of patronymics in Wales from the 16th century and the prevalence of the name John at that time." 1 "Next to John Smith, John Jones is probably the most common combination of names in Britain." 2

Early Origins of the Jones family

The surname Jones was first found in Denbighshire (Welsh: Sir Ddinbych), a historic county in Northeast Wales created by the Laws in Wales Act 1536, where their ancient family seat was at Llanerchrugog.

The name Jones, currently one of the most prolific in the world, descends from three main sources: from Gwaithvoed, Lord Cardigan, Chief of one of the 15 noble tribes of North Wales in 921; from Bleddyn Ap Cynfyn, King of Powys; and from Dyffryn Clwyd, a Chieftain of Denbighland.

All three lines merged in Denbighshire about the 11th century and it is not known which of the three can be considered the main branch of the family. Later some of the family ventured into England. "[The parish of Astall in Oxfordshire] was formerly the residence of Sir Richard Jones, one of the judges of the court of common pleas in the reign of Charles I.; and there are still some remains of the ancient manor-house near the church, which are now converted into a farmhouse." 3

"Llanarth Court [in Monmouthshire], the admired seat of John Jones, Esq., is a handsome and spacious mansion, the front ornamented with an elegant portico resembling that of the temple of Pæstum." 3

Early History of the Jones family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Jones research. Another 58 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1550, 1578, 1589, 1605, 1610, 1618, 1619, 1628, 1637, 1638, 1640, 1643, 1645, 1649, 1650, 1656, 1658, 1660, 1669, 1673, 1674, 1681, 1697, 1712 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Jones History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Jones Spelling Variations

Welsh 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 Jones has occasionally been spelled Jones, Jonas, Jone, Joness and others.

Early Notables of the Jones family

  • Gwaithvoed Lord Cardigan, Bleddyn Ap Cynfyn, and Dyffryn Clwyd Jones, the three patriarchs of the Jones family
  • John Jones of Gellilyfdy (c. 1578-c.1658), a Welsh lawyer, antiquary, calligrapher, manuscript collector and scribe
  • Richard Jones (1638-1712), first Earl of Ranelagh
  • Sir Samuel Jones (1610-1673), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons in 1656 and 1660
  • Henry Jones (c.1605-1681), Welsh-born, Anglican Bishop of Clogher (1645), and Dean of Kilmore (1637)
  • Lieutenant-General Michael Jones (died 1649) who fought for King Charles I during the Irish Confederate War
  • Samuel Jones (1628-1697), a Welsh nonconformist clergyman

Jones World Ranking

the United States, the name Jones is the 4th most popular surname with an estimated 1,544,427 people with that name. 4 However, in Canada, the name Jones is ranked the 14th most popular surname with an estimated 68,210 people with that name. 5 And in Quebec, Canada, the name Jones is the 478th popular surname. 6 Newfoundland, Canada ranks Jones as 63rd with 413 people. 7 France ranks Jones as 3,371st with 2,000 - 2,500 people. 8 Australia ranks Jones as 2nd with 111,307 people. 9 New Zealand ranks Jones as 3rd with 8,563 people. 10 The United Kingdom ranks Jones as 2nd with 437,227 people. 11 South Africa ranks Jones as 263rd with 25,988 people. 12

Migration of the Jones family to Ireland

Some of the Jones family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 143 words (10 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Jones migration to the United States +

In the 1800s and 1900s, many Welsh families left for North America, in search of land, work, and freedom. Those who made the trip successfully helped contribute to the growth of industry, commerce, and the cultural heritage of both Canada and the United States. In the immigration and passenger lists were a number of people bearing the name Jones

Jones Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Mr. Thomas Jones, aged 35, who arrived in Virginia in 1619 aboard the ship "Bona Nova" 14
  • Mr. Anthony Jones, aged 26, who arrived in Virginia aboard the ship "Falcon" in 1620 14
  • Mr. Theodore Jones, aged 16, who arrived in Virginia in 1620 aboard the ship "Margaret & John" 14
  • Mr. Henry Jones, aged 25, who arrived in Virginia in 1622 aboard the ship "Southampton" 14
  • Mr. David Jones, aged 22, who arrived in Virginia in 1622 aboard the ship "Truelove" 14
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Jones Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • David Jones, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1712 15
  • Arthur Jones, who arrived in Virginia in 1724 15
  • Cornelius Jones, who arrived in Georgia in 1732 15
  • Roger Jones, who arrived in South Carolina in 1738
Jones Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Christian Jones, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1801 15
  • William Jones, who landed in New York in 1815 15
  • James Jones, who arrived in Puerto Rico in 1816 15
  • Sarah Jones, who settled in New York in 1821
  • Caroline Jones, who landed in New York in 1824 15
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Jones Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Mr. Stephen Jones, (b. 1877), aged 24, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "Lucania" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 20th July 1901 en route to Butte, Montana, USA 16
  • Mr. James Jones, (b. 1837), aged 64, Cornish farmer, from Hayle, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Germanic" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 25th October 1901 en route to Benton, Wisconsin, USA 16
  • Mr. Cecil Jones, (b. 1901), aged 2, Cornish settler, from Camborne, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Teutonic" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 9th April 1903 en route to Grass Valley, California, USA 16
  • Miss Cerita Jones, (b. 1902), aged 1, Cornish settler, from Camborne, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Teutonic" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 9th April 1903 en route to Grass Valley, California, USA 16
  • Mrs. Lillie Jones, (b. 1877), aged 26, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Teutonic" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 9th April 1903 en route to Grass Valley, California 16
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Jones migration to Canada +

Jones Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Mr. Ebenezer Jones Jr., U.E. (b. 1720) from New York, USA who settled in Home District, Saltfleet Township [Hamilton], Ontario c. 1780 he served in the Orange Rangers, married to Sarah Lockwood they had 5 children 17
  • Capt. John Jones U.E., aka "Mahogany Jones" born in Maine, USA from Pownalborough, who settled in Grand Manan Island, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1780 he served in the Rangers, member of the Port Matoon association as well as Penobscot Association 17
  • Mr. Thomas Jones U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783 was passenger number 290 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on September 28, 1783 at Staten Island, New York 17
  • Mrs. Hannah Jones U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783 was passenger number 319 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on September 28, 1783 at Staten Island, New York 17
  • Mr. Garret Jones U.E. who settled in Belle Vue, Beaver Harbour, New Brunswick c. 1783 17
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Jones Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Ty. Jones, aged 50, a farmer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "John" from Liverpool, England
  • John Jones, aged 24, a farmer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "John" from Liverpool, England
  • Robert Jones, aged 20, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Billow" in 1833
  • Richard Jones, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Protector" in 1834
  • William Jones, aged 19, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Highlander" in 1834
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Jones migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the First Fleet, Second Fleet and Third Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

First Fleet
  • Miss Hannah Jones, (b. 1764), aged 23, British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1787, sentenced to 7 years for highway robbery, transported aboard the ship "Lady Juliana" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 13
  • Mr. Samuel Jones, (d. 1790), British settler convicted at London, England in 1787, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Neptune" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 14
  • Mr. David Jones, British settler convicted at Gloucestershire, England in 1787, sentenced to 7 years for stealing sheep, transported aboard the ship "Neptune, Scarborough or Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 14
  • Mr. Daniel Jones, (1766 - 1790), aged 23, British settler convicted at London, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Neptune" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 14
  • Mr. Edward Jones, (b. 1747), aged 42, British settler convicted at Shrewsbury (Salop), England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Scarborough" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 14
Second Fleet
  • Mr. Benjamin Jones, (1772 - 1837), aged 18, British settler convicted in Warwickshire, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Britannia" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 14
  • Mr. David Jones, British settler convicted in Gloucestershire, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing sheep, transported aboard the ship "Matilda" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791, may have died on the ship 14
  • Mr. Edward Jones, British settler convicted in Rutland, England in 1790, sentenced to 14 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Britannia" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 14
  • Mr. Edward Jones, British settler convicted in Shrewsbury (Salop), England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Britannia" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 14
  • Mr. Henry Jones, British settler convicted in London, England in 1790, sentenced to Life for Stealing, transported aboard the ship "Albermarle" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 14
Third Fleet
  • Mr. Francis Jones, English settler convicted in Winchester, Hampshire on 12th July 1785, sentenced for 7 years for stealing clothing, transported aboard the ship "Alexander" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 14
  • Mr. Thomas Jones, (b. 1765), aged 22, English settler convicted in Warwick, Warkwickshire on 30th March 1784, sentenced for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Alexander" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 14
  • Mr. Edward Jones, (b. 1763), aged 24, English settler convicted in London on 15th September 1784, sentenced for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Alexander" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 14
  • Miss Margaret Jones, (b. 1749), aged 38, English settler convicted in New Sarum (Salisbury), Wiltshire on 8th March 1783, sentenced for 7 years for receiving stollen good, transported aboard the ship "Charlotte" leaving on 13th May 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia on 22nd January 1788 14
  • Mr. John Jones, (b. 1761), aged 26, English settler convicted in Exeter, Devon on 24th May 1784, sentenced for 14 years for returning from transport, transported aboard the ship "Charlotte" leaving on 13th May 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia on 22nd January 1788 14
Following the First, Second and Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Jones Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
Jones Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Jones 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:

Jones Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Andrew Jones, Australian settler travelling from Hobart, Tasmania, Australia aboard the ship "Bee" arriving in New Zealand in 1831 20
  • Mr. Stephen Jones, Australian settler travelling from Port of Hobart, Tasmania, Australia on board the ship "David Owen" arriving in New Zealand in 1832 20
  • Thomas Jones, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Success" in 1839
  • Thomas Jones, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1839 aboard the ship Success
  • Mr. Jones, Australian settler travelling from Sydney aboard the ship "Diana" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 11th July 1840 20
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Jones Settlers in New Zealand in the 20th Century
  • Chris Jones, aged 22, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "S. S. Waimana" in 1926

Jones 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. 21
Jones Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Mr. Richard Jones, (b. 1611), aged 23, British settler travelling from London, UK arriving in St Christopher (St. Kitts) on 5th January 1634 15
  • Mr. Edward Jones, (b. 1613), aged 21, British settler travelling from London, UK arriving in St Christopher (St. Kitts) on 5th January 1634 15
  • Mr. Thomas Jones, (b. 1615), aged 19, British settler travelling from Gravesend, UK aboard the ship "Hopewell" arriving in Barbados on 17th February 1634 15
  • Miss Marie Jones, (b. 1615), aged 20, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship "Anne and Elizabeth" arriving in Barbados in 1635 22
  • Miss Edith Jones, (b. 1614), aged 21, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship "Alexander" arriving in Barbados in 1635 23
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Jones (post 1700) +

  • Quincey Jones (1933-2024), American record producer, songwriter, composer, arranger, and film and television producer, awarded 28 Grammy Awards, recipient of the Grammy Legend Award in 1992, the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 1995, the Kennedy Center Honors in 2001, the National Medal of the Arts in 2011
  • Sir Thomas Woodward "Tom" Jones OBE (b. 1940), born Thomas Jones Woodward, popular Welsh singer and actor particularly noted for his powerful voice in songs like "It's Not Unusual", "What's New Pussycat?", and many more
  • David Robert Jones (1947-2016), better known as David Bowie, an English rock singer, who became famous for his wide variety of musical and personal styles
  • Arthur Willis Jones III (1986-2025), American professional football player, a defensive end for eight seasons in the National Football League, selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL draft and won Super Bowl XLVII with them
  • John Christopher Jones (1948-2025), American film, stage and television actor
  • Larry R. Jones (1941-2025), American professional basketball player, notably played in the American Basketball Association, first player to reach 5,000 career points
  • Jerrauld Corey Jones (1954-2025), American politician and jurist, Democratic member of the Virginia House of Delegates (1988-2002), representing the 89th District in Norfolk, served as a judge of the Norfolk Circuit Court (2008-2025)
  • Jehu Glancy Jones (1811-1878), American diplomat, 4th United States Minister to the Austrian Empire (1858-1861)
  • Robert Edward Jones (1927-2025), American politician and jurist, Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Oregon (2000-2025)
  • ... (Another 225 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Arrow Air Flight 1285
  • Mr. Joseph A Jones (1963-1985), American Sergeant from Knoxville, Tennessee, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 24
  • Patrick Jones (b. 1823), British passenger who died aboard the ship "Cataraqui" when sailing for Melbourne, Australia she struck rocks of Kings Island and sank on 4th April 1845
  • William Jones, British crew aboard the ship "Cataraqui" when sailing for Melbourne, Australia she struck rocks of Kings Island and sank on 4th April 1845, he survived
  • Gordon Richard Jones (1912-1943), Australian Major who died aboard the ship "Centaur" an Australian hospital ship when torpedoed on 14th May 1943
  • Clifford G. Jones, Australian Private who survived when the ship "Centaur" an Australian hospital ship when torpedoed on 14th May 1943
  • ... (Another 232 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Jones 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: Heb dduw, heb ddim
Motto Translation: Without God, without anything.

Suggested Readings for the name Jones +

  • Camp, Jones, and Related Families by Nell Jones Carter.
  • Captain Roger Jones of London and Virginia by L.H. Jones.
  • Climbing Our Family Tree by Edith Black.
  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  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. "The first 1,000 family names by rank, Quebec (in French only)" Institut de la statistique du Quebec, https://statistique.quebec.ca/en/document/family-names-in-quebec/tableau/the-first-1000-family-names-by-rank-quebec
  7. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  8. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  9. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  10. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  11. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  12. "Most Common Last Names in South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/surnames
  13. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
  14. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  15. 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)
  16. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
  17. 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
  18. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
  19. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-cornwallis
  20. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  21. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  22. Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's. Retrieved 23rd September 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  23. Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 28th September 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  24. American War Memorials - Flight 1285. (Retrieved 2016, August 24). Retrieved from http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=317&MemID=550

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