Show ContentsJenkes History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Jenkes family

The surname Jenkes was first found in Shropshire where they held a family seat in the 13th century. The name could have also been a baptismal name as in "son of John" which was a diminutive of Jenkin and this was later modified to Jenks and Jinks. 1

Early History of the Jenkes family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Jenkes research. Another 146 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1241, 1396, 1439, 1455, 1487, 1510, 1542, 1600, 1602, 1632, 1642, 1645, 1646, 1654, 1656, 1671, 1675, 1682, 1697, 1714, 1717, 1724, 1740 and 1982 are included under the topic Early Jenkes History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Jenkes Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Jenkes include Jenks, Jenkes, Jinks, Jinkes, Chenks, Chenkes and others.

Early Notables of the Jenkes family

Distinguished members of the family include

  • Henry Jenkes (d. 1697), was a Gresham professor of rhetoric, descended from a Prussian family, was a native of England, and received his early education at King's College, Aberdeen, where he was admit...

Migration of the Jenkes family

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: Frank H. Jenckes, aged 53, who arrived at Ellis Island destined for Woonsocket, Rhode Island, in 1913; Frederick L. Jenckes, aged 39, who arrived at Ellis Island, in 1916.



  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)


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