Show ContentsJergen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Jergen

What does the name Jergen mean?

Jergen is an ancient Anglo-Saxon name that is derived from the baptismal name German. The surname Jergen referred to the son of German which belongs to the category of patronymic surnames. In Old English, patronyms were formed by adding a variety of suffixes to personal names, which changed over time and from place to place. For example, after the Norman Conquest, sunu and sune, which meant son, were the most common patronymic suffixes. In the 12th and 13th centuries, the most common patronymic names included the word filius, which meant son. By the 14th century, the suffix son had replaced these earlier versions. Surnames that were formed with filius or son were more common in the north of England and it was here that the number of individuals without surnames was greatest at this time.

Early Origins of the Jergen family

The surname Jergen was first found in the Domesday Book of 1086 where the original Latin form of the name Germanus was first listed. 1

As a forename Jerman filius Willelmi was found in the Feet of Fines for Essex in 1248. John Jarman was listed in Norfolk in 1227. Phillippus Germani was found in the Feet of Fines for Dorset in 1236. Johannes Jeremie was listed in the Pipe Rolls for Yorkshire in 1196. 2

Early History of the Jergen family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Jergen research. Another 72 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1539, 1573, 1579, 1591, 1604, 1605, 1611, 1614, 1624, 1628, 1629, 1636, 1645, 1659, 1666, 1667, 1668, 1684, 1692, 1708, 1712 and 1724 are included under the topic Early Jergen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Jergen Spelling Variations

Jergen 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 Jergen have been found, including Jarman, Jarmain, Jermayne, Jermain, Jermyn, Jermin and many more.

Early Notables of the Jergen family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Sir Ambrose Jermyn; his son, Sir Robert Jermyn DL (1539-1614) was an English politician, High Sheriff of Suffolk for 1579; Sir Thomas Jermyn (1573-1645) was an English politician, Member of Parliament for Andover (1604-1611), and Bury St Edmunds (1614-1629); and Henry Jermyn, 1st Earl of Saint Albans, KG (1605-1684), an English politician and courtier. He was second son of Sir Thomas Jermyn, knt., by Mary Barber. In 1624 Jermyn was gentleman in attendance on the embassy to Paris, and in 1628 he represented Liverpool in parliament. On 2 July 1628 he was appointed...
Another 235 words (17 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Jergen Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Jergen family to Ireland

Some of the Jergen family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Jergen family

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 Jergens to arrive on North American shores: John, his wife Margaret, Elizabeth, Sarah, Priscilla Jarman settled in New England in 1635; John Jermain settled in Virginia in 1739; Thomas Jermayne settled in St. Christopher in 1634.



The Jergen 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: nec ab oriente nec ab occidente
Motto Translation: Neither from the east nor from the west.


  1. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)


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