Show ContentsJencks History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Jencks family

The surname Jencks was first found in Shropshire where they held a family seat in the 13th century. The name could have also been a baptismal name as in "son of John" which was a diminutive of Jenkin and this was later modified to Jenks and Jinks. [1]

Early History of the Jencks family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Jencks research. Another 146 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1241, 1396, 1439, 1455, 1487, 1510, 1542, 1600, 1602, 1632, 1642, 1645, 1646, 1654, 1656, 1671, 1675, 1682, 1697, 1714, 1717, 1724, 1740 and 1982 are included under the topic Early Jencks History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Jencks Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Jencks has been spelled many different ways, including Jenks, Jenkes, Jinks, Jinkes, Chenks, Chenkes and others.

Early Notables of the Jencks family

Distinguished members of the family include

  • Joseph Jencks I (1602-1682), early American settler in Lynn, Massachusetts. He was awarded the first patent in North America by the General Court of Massachusetts, for making scythes. In 1654 he built...

Migration of the Jencks family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Jenckss to arrive in North America: Frank H. Jenckes, aged 53, who arrived at Ellis Island destined for Woonsocket, Rhode Island, in 1913; Frederick L. Jenckes, aged 39, who arrived at Ellis Island, in 1916.


Contemporary Notables of the name Jencks (post 1700) +

  • Joseph S. Jencks Jr., American Republican politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Arizona at-large, 1942 [2]
  • Joseph Jencks Jr., American politician, Speaker of the Rhode Island House of Deputies, 1698-99, 1707, 1708 [2]
  • George Jencks, American politician, Warden (borough president) of Danielsonville, Connecticut, 1886 [2]
  • Daniel Jencks, American politician, Speaker of the Rhode Island House of Deputies, 1747-48 [2]
  • James Jencks Jakway (1862-1949), American Democratic Party politician, Member of Michigan State House of Representatives from Berrien County 2nd District, 1913-14; Supervisor of Benton Township, Michigan, 1926 [3]


  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. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, December 8) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  3. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 7) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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