Jameson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  Scotland 
  Ireland 
  England 


The Hebrides islands and the west coast of Scotland are the ancestral home of the Jameson family. Their name comes from "son of James". 1

Early Origins of the Jameson family

The surname Jameson was first found in on the Isle of Bute, where "a family named Jamieson or Neilson held the office of Crowner of Bute from the beginning of the fourteenth century or earlier to the seventeenth century. He was granted lands by Robert the Bruce for his services rendered to the King. King James II confirmed these grants later and further bestowed on the Jamiesons other territories on the Isle of Arran, particularly that of Over Kilmory. The office of Coroner (Crowner) was hereditary with the family. " 2

Other early records include: Alexander Jemison who had a safe conduct to trade with England in 1445, William Jamyson who was tenant of Pollock in 1472, and John Jamesone was repledged to liberty of the burgh of Irvine in the same year.

Further to the south, the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed Willelmus Jamessson; Johannes Jamesman (i.e. the servant of James); and Henricus Jamsman, 1379. 3

Early History of the Jameson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Jameson research. Another 139 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1465, 1528, 1539, 1587, 1588, 1644, 1676, 1677, 1685, 1689, 1700, 1720, 1769, 1780 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Jameson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Jameson Spelling Variations

Medieval translation of Gaelic names could not be referred to as an accurate process. Spelling was not yet standardized, and names in documents from that era are riddled with spelling variations. Jameson has been written as Jamieson, Jameson, Jamison, Jamyson, Jimisone and many more.

Early Notables of the Jameson family

Notable amongst the Clan from early times was

Jameson Ranking

In the United States, the name Jameson is the 2,220th most popular surname with an estimated 14,922 people with that name. 4

Migration of the Jameson family to Ireland

Some of the Jameson family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 82 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Jameson migration to the United States +

Ancestors of many of the Dalriadan families who crossed the Atlantic still live along the east coast of the United States and Canada. Some Scottish settlers arrived in Canada during the American War of Independence as United Empire Loyalists, while others stayed south to fight for a new nation. The descendants of Scottish settlers in both countries began to rediscover their heritage in the 19th and 20th centuries through Clan societies and highland games. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Jameson or a variant listed above:

Jameson Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Jameson Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Jameson Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
Jameson Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Jameson migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Jameson Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Jameson Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Jameson migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Jameson Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Jameson 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:

Jameson Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Jameson (post 1700) +


The Jameson 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: Ad littora tendit
Motto Translation: It makes for the shore.


Suggested Readings for the name Jameson +
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