Show ContentsJesent History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Jesent is of Anglo-Saxon origin and came from the baptismal name for the son of Judd, which was a pet form for the Old English personal name Jordan.

Early Origins of the Jesent family

The surname Jesent was first found in Yorkshire where the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included Willelraus Gesson as holding lands there at that time. 1

"Jesson was the name of a minister of Prestwold in the reign of Elizabeth. Two centuries ago Sir William Jesson resided at Burleigh Park, Loughborough." 2

Early History of the Jesent family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Jesent research. Another 115 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1580, 1603, 1628, 1640, 1648, 1651, 1661, 1663, 1790 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Jesent History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Jesent 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 Jesent include Jesson, Jessen, Gesson and others.

Early Notables of the Jesent family

Another 49 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Jesent Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Jesent family to Ireland

Some of the Jesent family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 58 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Jesent 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: Richard Jessen, who sailed to Philadelphia in 1852; Henry Jesson to Philadelphia in 1865 and George Jesson, also to Philadelphia in 1866.



  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)
  2. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.


Houseofnames.com on Facebook