Contents [hide]

Jacobs History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Suggested Reading Sources

Jacobs History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Germany
Spain

Early Origins of the Jacobs family

The surname Jacobs was first found in Silesia, where the name was an integral part of a feudal society which would shape modern European history. Many prominent branches of the family would strive to make this name renowned as they contributed to the social, economic and political affairs of the region. In the Middle Ages, the name referred back to the Apostel Jacobus, whose grave in Spain was a popular goal for pilgrimage. These pilgrims from Germany became known as "Jacobsbrueder" (Jacobs-brothers).

Early History of the Jacobs family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Jacobs research. Another 175 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1600, 1685, 1734, 1740, 1743, 1814, 1817 and 1819 are included under the topic Early Jacobs History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Jacobs Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Jacobsen, Jacobson, Jacobs, Jacobse, Jacob, Jacober, Jacobi, Jacobie, Jacoby, Jacobsohn, Jacobssohn, Jakobs, Jakober, Jakobsohn, Jacobsson, Jakobsson, Jakobssohn, Jakobsen, Jakobi, Jakobson, Jakobie and many more.

Early Notables of the Jacobs family

Gunther Jacob (1685-1734), who was a Bohemian composer. A Benedictine monk in Prague, he was known for his 30 masses, four oratorios, and 100 other sacred works. Friedrich Heinrich Jacobi (1743-1819) was a prominent philosopher, author, and friend...
Another 38 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Jacobs Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Jacobs World Ranking

the United States, the name Jacobs is the 231^st most popular surname with an estimated 114,402 people with that name. 1 However, in Canada, the name Jacobs is ranked the 721^st most popular surname with an estimated 7,440 people with that name. 2 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Jacobs is the 278^th popular surname with an estimated 160 people with that name. 3 France ranks Jacobs as 4,714^th with 1,500 - 2,000 people. 4 Australia ranks Jacobs as 491^st with 7,794 people. 5 New Zealand ranks Jacobs as 435^th with 1,546 people. 6 The United Kingdom ranks Jacobs as 596^th with 10,973 people. 7 Netherlands ranks Jacobs as 29^th with 22,312 people. 8 South Africa ranks Jacobs as 17^th with 130,364 people. 9

Jacobs migration to the United States +

Jacobs Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Cathalina Jacobs, aged 24, who landed in New Netherland(s) in 1639 11
Brechtgen Jacobs, aged 45, who landed in New York in 1642 11
Tryntje Jacobs, who landed in New York in 1650 11
Anna Jacobs, who arrived in New York in 1658 11
Epke Jacobs, who landed in New York in 1659 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Jacobs Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Barth Jacobs, who arrived in New York in 1709 11
Philip Jacobs, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1738 11
Adam Jacobs, who arrived in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1761
Adam Jacobs, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1761 11
Conrad Jacobs, who arrived in America in 1780 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Jacobs Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Isaac Jacobs, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1802 11
Israel Benjamin Jacobs, aged 22, who arrived in New York in 1803 11
Rosina Jacobs, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1806 11
Thomas Jacobs, aged 47, who arrived in Maine in 1812 11
John Jacobs, aged 26, who arrived in New York in 1812 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Jacobs Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Mr. Richard Jacobs, (b. 1871), aged 29, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "St Louis" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 29th April 1900 en route to Hancock, Michigan, USA 12
Jake Jacobs, who landed in Mississippi in 1900 11
David Jacobs, who landed in Arkansas in 1906 11

Jacobs migration to Canada +

Jacobs Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Mrs. W. Jacobs, aged 26 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Wandsworth" departing from the port of Dublin, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle In May 1847 13

Jacobs migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the First Fleet and Third Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

First Fleet

Mr. Abraham Jacobs, British settler convicted at Middlesex, England in 1788, sentenced to Life for theft, transported aboard the ship "Neptune, Scarborough or Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 10
Mr. James Jacobs, (b. 1753), aged 36, British settler convicted at Middlesex, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 11

Third Fleet

Mr. David Jacobs, (b. 1759), aged 28, English settler convicted in London on 20th October 1784, sentenced for 7 years for stealing clothing, transported aboard the ship "Scarborough" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 11
Mr. John Jacobs, (b. 1766), aged 21, English settler convicted in London on 25th February 1784, sentenced for 7 years for highway robbery, transported aboard the ship "Scarborough" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 11

Following the First and Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Jacobs Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Samuel Jacobs, British convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Calcutta" in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
Mr. William Jacobs, British convict who was convicted in Southampton, England for life, transported aboard the "Calcutta" in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
Ralph Jacobs, English convict from London, who was transported aboard the "Almorah" on April 1817, settling in New South Wales, Australia 15
Mr. Moss Jacobs, English convict who was convicted in Surrey, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Canada" on 23rd April 1819, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
Mr. David Jacobs, English convict who was convicted in Kent, England for life, transported aboard the "Dromedary" on 11th September 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 17
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Jacobs 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:

Jacobs Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

John Jacobs, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Mandarin" in 1841
Sarah Jacobs, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Mandarin" in 1841
Mr. Jonathon Jacobs, (b. 1806), aged 49, British agricultural labourer travelling from London aboard the ship "Grasmere" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 4th May 1855 18
Mrs. Anne Jacobs, (b. 1817), aged 38, British laundress travelling from London aboard the ship "Grasmere" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 4th May 1855 18
Miss Harriet Jacobs, (b. 1842), aged 13, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Grasmere" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 4th May 1855 18
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Jacobs (post 1700) +

Kenneth Martin Jacobs (1933-2025), American experimental filmmaker whose style often involved the use of found footage which he edited and manipulated, also directed films using his own footage
Allan B. Jacobs (1928-2025), urban designer, renowned for his publications and research on urban design, well-known paper "Toward an Urban Design Manifesto", written with Donald Appleyard
Rosetta Jacobs (1932-2023), American actress known as Piper Laurie, known for her roles in films The Huslter (1961), Carrie (1976) and The Thorn Birds (1983)
Ray Davon Jacobs (1992-2023), known professionally as AUGUST 08, an American musician and singer who co-wrote the Billboard topping hit "I'm the One"
David Jacobs (1939-2023), American television writer, producer, director and creator of the CBS primetime series Dallas, Knots Landing, and Paradise
Kyle Christopher Jacobs (1973-2023), American country music songwriter, vocalist, guitarist, pianist
Keith Thomas "Tommy" Jacobs Jr. (1935-2022), American PGA golfer and golf course owner/operator who played on the PGA Tour and the Champions Tour, older brother of John Jacobs
Angela Sue Jacobs (1969-2022), American two-time Emmy Award winning anchor and reporter in Tampa Bay, Florida
Harry Edwards Jacobs (1937-2021), American professional American Football League (AFL) and National Football League (NFL) player from Canton, Illinois
... (Another 31 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Jacobs family +

HMS Repulse

Mr. Albert Edward Jacobs (1898-1945), English Gunnery Officer from Portchester, Southampton, England, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse and survived the sinking, later lost in 1945 19
E. Jacobs, British Engine Room Artificer 5th Class with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he survived the sinking 20
Walter Arthur Charles Jacobs (1919-1939), British Stoker 2nd Class with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 21
Mr. Albert James Jacobs (1898-1917), British Ordinary Seaman from Hampshire, who was aboard the ship "HMS Vanguard" when she exploded in the Scapa Flow off the Orkney Islands, Scotland on 9th July 1917
Mrs. Liba Bella Jacobs, English 3rd Class passenger from London, England, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking and was recovered 21

Sources +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
"Most Common Last Names in Netherlands." Forebears, https://forebears.io/netherlands/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/surnames
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 35)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/calcutta
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Almorah voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1817 with 180 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/almorah/1817
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 9th December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/canada
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/dromedary
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/