Show ContentsJansan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

One of the most common classes of Scottish surnames is the patronymic surname, which arose out of the vernacular and religious naming traditions. The vernacular or regional naming tradition is the oldest and most pervasive type of patronymic surname. According to this custom, names were originally composed of vocabulary elements from the local language. Patronymic surnames of this type were usually derived from the personal name of the original bearer's father. The surname Jansan is derived from the ancient Scottish given name Ian which itself comes from the Hebrew given name Yocjanan, which means Jehovah has favored me with a son. 1

Early Origins of the Jansan family

The surname Jansan was first found in Westmorland, where they held a family seat from very early times and were granted lands by Duke William of Normandy, their liege Lord, for their distinguished assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Jansan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Jansan research. Another 88 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1590, 1617, 1648, 1665, 1684 and 1707 are included under the topic Early Jansan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Jansan Spelling Variations

Scottish surnames are distinguished by a multitude of spelling variations because, over the centuries, the names were frequently translated into and from Gaelic. Furthermore, the spelling of surnames was rarely consistent because medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules. The different versions of a surname, such as the inclusion of the patronymic prefix "Mac", frequently indicated a religious or Clan affiliation or even a division of the family. Moreover, a large number of foreign names were brought into Scotland, accelerating accentuating the alterations to various surnames. The name Jansan has also been spelled Ianson, I'Anson, Janson and others.

Early Notables of the Jansan family

Notable among the family at this time was John Ianson of Corfe Castle; and the I'Anson Baronetcy of Bassetbury which included: Sir Bryan I'Anson, 1st Baronet (c.1590-1665), Gentleman...
Another 28 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Jansan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Jansan family

Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America carried the name Jansan, or a variant listed above: George I'Anson, who came to America in 1696; and George Janson, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1848. John, Thomas and William Ianson were all on record in the 1871 Census of Ontario, Canada..



  1. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print


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