Show ContentsJenkone History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Jenkone surname is derived from the Middle English given name Jenkin, which was in turn created from a diminutive of the name John, with the suffix "kin," added to the name. Generally, the Jenkin variant of this name came from the Devon-Cornwall region.

Early Origins of the Jenkone family

The surname Jenkone was first found in Sussex where Richard Janekyn was recorded in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1296. Other early records of the name include Richard Jenkins, listed in the Somerset Subsidy Rolls in 1327, William Jonkyn, recorded in the "Calendar of Inquisitiones post mortem" in 1297, Alicia Jonkyn, listed in the Poll Tax of Yorkshire in 1379, well as William Jankins, recorded in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1327. 1

Early records in the parish of St. Columb, Cornwall note "Higher Trekyninge in the reign of Edward III. appears to have been in a divided state, between the Arundells and Hamleys. It was afterwards for several generations in the family of Jenkin, whose co-heiresses married St. Aubyn, Slanning, Carey, and Trelawney. It is now the property of Richard Rawe, Esq. The site on which the ancient mansion house stood, is supposed by Mr. Whitaker, from its name and concomitant circumstances, to have been the residence of an ancient Cornish king." 2

Early History of the Jenkone family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Jenkone research. Another 173 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1565, 1584, 1598, 1601, 1602, 1607, 1613, 1656, 1672, 1675, 1676, 1677, 1678, 1680, 1681, 1685, 1689, 1727, 1731, 1739 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Jenkone History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Jenkone Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, Anglo-Norman surnames like Jenkone are characterized by many spelling variations. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages such as Norman French and Latin, even literate people regularly changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Jenkone include Jenkins, Jenkin, Jankins, Jenkynn, Jenkynns, Jenkyns, Jinkines, Jinkins, Jenkens, Junkin, Junkins, Jenkings and many more.

Early Notables of the Jenkone family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was John Jenkins (1598-1678), an English composer born in Maidstone, Kent, who served as a musician to the Royal and noble families and composed many pieces for strings. 3 William Jenkyn (1613-1685), was an...
Another 39 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Jenkone Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Jenkone family to Ireland

Some of the Jenkone family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Jenkone family

Faced with the chaos present in England at that time, many English families looked towards the open frontiers of the New World with its opportunities to escape oppression and starvation. People migrated to North America, as well as Australia and Ireland in droves, paying exorbitant rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, but those who did see the shores of North America were welcomed with great opportunity. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America carried the name Jenkone, or a variant listed above: Oliver Jenkines, who came to Virginia in 1611; David Jinkins, who settled in Virginia, some time between the years 1654-1663; Walter Jenkyns, who settled in Virginia in 1635.



The Jenkone 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: Perge sed caute
Motto Translation: Advance but cautiously .


  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
  3. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


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