Joseph History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  England 
  France 
  Ireland 


The Anglo-Saxon name Joseph comes from the baptismal name for the son of Joseph.

"Many of the modern directory Josephs are of Jewish extraction, but there are also a fair number of Josephs who have a purely English descent." 1

Early Origins of the Joseph family

The surname Joseph was first found in the Domesday Book of 1086 where the Latin form Josephus was recorded. 2 Later in Norfolk, Joseph (no forename) was listed at Holme (1141-1149) and later in Lincolnshire in 1187. In Herefordshire, Umfridus filius Josep was found there in the Curia Regis Rolls of 1205 and then William Joseph was entered in the Pipe Rolls of Hampshire in 1191 and in the Curia Regis Rolls for Suffolk in 1205. 3

Joseph of Exeter, in Latin Joseph Iscanus (fl. 1190), was a mediæval "Latin poet, was, as he tells us himself, a native of Exeter, being the fellow-townsman and lifelong friend of Baldwin, Archbishop of Canterbury." 4

Early History of the Joseph family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Joseph research. Another 90 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1191, 1205, 1273, 1754, 1764, 1784, 1788, 1790, 1792, 1797, 1811, 1812, 1813, 1815, 1846 and 1850 are included under the topic Early Joseph History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Joseph Spelling Variations

Before 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 Joseph were recorded, including Joseph, Josephs, Josephson and others.

Early Notables of the Joseph family

Distinguished members of the family include

Joseph World Ranking

In the United States, the name Joseph is the 384th most popular surname with an estimated 72,123 people with that name. 5 However, in Canada, the name Joseph is ranked the 415th most popular surname with an estimated 11,209 people with that name. 6 And in Quebec, Canada, the name Joseph is the 305th popular surname. 7 France ranks Joseph as 614th with 7,706 people. 8 Australia ranks Joseph as 579th with 6,686 people. 9 New Zealand ranks Joseph as 552nd with 1,273 people. 10 The United Kingdom ranks Joseph as 891st with 7,687 people. 11 South Africa ranks Joseph as 321st with 20,802 people. 12

Migration of the Joseph family to Ireland

Some of the Joseph family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 31 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Joseph migration to the United States +

To 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 Joseph family emigrate to North America:

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

Joseph migration to Australia +

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

Joseph Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Joseph 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:

Joseph Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Joseph (post 1700) +


The Joseph 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: Cas ni charo y wlad a'i mago
Motto Translation: Loathed be he that loveth not his native land


Suggested Readings for the name Joseph +
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