Jean History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  England 
  France 
  Spain 
  Scotland 


The Jean surname is a patronymic name created from the personal name Jan, which was a Middle English variant of the name John, or as "son of Jan." 1

Early Origins of the Jean family

The surname Jean was first found in Cornwall, where a record in the Ministers' Accounts of the Earldom of Cornwall shows a Simon Ianes in 1297. A John Janne was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Cornwall in 1327, and a William Jan was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Somerset in that same year. 2

Kirby's Quest listed Robert Janes and William Janes, both in Somerset temp. 1 Edward III. 3

Jane or Johanna (d. 1445), Queen of Scotland, "was the daughter of John Beaufort, earl of Somerset. Her mother was Margaret, daughter of Thomas Holland, second earl of Kent, and niece of Richard II, who became after her first husband's death Duchess of Clarence. James I, King of Scotland, when a prisoner at Windsor, saw her walking in the garden of the castle, fell in love at first sight, and wrote the story of his love in the 'Kingis Quair.' The marriage, which suited the English rulers, and was made one of the conditions of his release, took place at St. Mary Overy Church in Southwark on 12 Feb. 1424. " 4

Early History of the Jean family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Jean research. Another 156 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1275, 1438, 1449, 1480, 1499, 1500, 1510, 1600, 1611, 1620, 1621, 1625, 1640, 1643, 1645, 1660, 1662, 1680, 1707 and 1716 are included under the topic Early Jean History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Jean Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence in the eras before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate regularly changed the spellings of their names as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Jean have been found, including Janes, Jans, J'Anes, Jeanne, Jeynes, Jayne, Jane and many more.

Early Notables of the Jean family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

Jean World Ranking

In the United States, the name Jean is the 1,909th most popular surname with an estimated 17,409 people with that name. 5 However, in Canada, the name Jean is ranked the 303rd most popular surname with an estimated 14,382 people with that name. 6 And in Quebec, Canada, the name Jean is the 99th popular surname. 7 France ranks Jean as 68th with 35,632 people. 8


Jean migration to the United States +

For many English families, the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. For such families, the shores of Ireland, Australia, and the New World beckoned. They left their homeland at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. Many arrived after the long voyage sick, starving, and without a penny. But even those were greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. Numerous English settlers who arrived in the United States and Canada at this time went on to make important contributions to the developing cultures of those countries. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Jean were among those contributors:

Jean Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Jean Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Jean migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Jean Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century
Jean Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Jean (post 1700) +
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