Jeeves History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The name Jeeves was spawned by the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture that ruled a majority of Britain. It comes from the baptismal name for the son of Geoffrey. "The Yorkshire Poll Tax contains endless references to Jeff, or Geff, or Gep; v. Gipp and Jeffs and Jephson. No wonder therefore that corrupted forms have come down to us; v. Geeves, where the Yorkshire instances will be found clearly explained." [1]

However, another source claims the name was originally Norman as the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae lists Peter de Cheef (Jeffs), Normandy, 1180-95. [2]

Early Origins of the Jeeves family

The surname Jeeves was first found in Somerset where Thomas Jeve was the first recording of the family, I Edward III (during the first year's reign of King Edward III.) [3]

Early History of the Jeeves family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Jeeves research. Another 116 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1279, 1349, 1369 and 1578 are included under the topic Early Jeeves History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Jeeves Spelling Variations

Jeeves has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Jeeves have been found, including Jeeves, Jeeve, Jeves, Jeve, Geeves, Geeve, Geve and many more.

Early Notables of the Jeeves family

More information is included under the topic Early Jeeves Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Jeeves migration to the United States +

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Jeevess to arrive on North American shores:

Jeeves Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

John Jeeves, who landed in Virginia in 1654 [4]

Jeeves migration to Australia +

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

Jeeves Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Thomas Jeeves, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Candahar" in 1851 [5]

Contemporary Notables of the name Jeeves (post 1700) +

Dr. Alan Jeeves, Queen's University in Canada
Professor Malcolm Alexander Jeeves, University of St. Andrews in Scotland

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
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)
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) CANDAHAR 1851. Retrieved http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1851Candahar.htm