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![Show Contents]() Jem History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England
The Anglo-Saxon name Jem comes from the baptismal name John or Joan. The surname Jem referred to the son of John or Joan which belongs to the category of patronymic or metronymic surnames. In Old English, patronyms and matronyms were formed by adding a variety of suffixes to personal names, which changed over time and from place to place. For example, after the Norman Conquest, sunu and sune, which meant son, were the most common patronymic suffixes. In the 12th and 13th centuries, the most common patronymic names included the word filius, which meant son. By the 14th century, the suffix son had replaced these earlier versions. Surnames that were formed with filius or son were more common in the north of England and it was here that the number of individuals without surnames was greatest at this time. Early Origins of the Jem familyThe surname Jem was first found in Yorkshire where Willelmus filius Jonet was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of 1297. A few years later, again in Yorkshire Jonot (surname only) was listed in 1308 and later again, Robert and Simon Janot were listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1327. 1 Early History of the Jem familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Jem research. Another 67 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1356, 1596, 1649, 1650, 1661 and 1678 are included under the topic Early Jem History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Jem Spelling VariationsBefore the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Jem were recorded, including Jennet, Jennett, Jonnott, Jonnot, Jonnotson and others. Early Notables of the Jem familyNotables of the family at this time include - William Jemmat (1596?-1678), English Puritan divine, born about 1596, and a "descendant of a well-to-do family settled at Reading, Berkshire, was, according to Wood, the son of a former mayor of the t...
- No Jemmat, however, appears as mayor of Reading before 1661...
- Giles, Reading, on 22 March 1649-1650 (register), is described in the register as the 'pious mother of three Jemmats, vicars of the parish successively.' " 2...
Migration of the Jem familyTo escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Jem family emigrate to North America: John Jennet settled in Pennsylvania in 1682; Peter Jennett arrived in Maryland in 1776.
| Contemporary Notables of the name Jem (post 1700) | + |
- Jem Targal (1947-2021), American bass guitarist and singer, known best as a member and co-founder of the rock group Third Power
- Jem Mace (1831-1910), English boxing champion, nicknamed "The Gypsy", inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990
- Jem Belcher (1781-1811), English bare-knuckle boxer and Champion of All England 1800-1805
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
- Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
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