Show ContentsJetson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Jetson is from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of the Britain and comes from the names Judd and Jutt, which are pet forms of the personal name Jordan. These names are derived from Jurd, a common abbreviation of Jordan, and feature the common interchange of voiced and voiceless final consonants. 1

Early Origins of the Jetson family

The surname Jetson was first found in Herefordshire where John Judde was listed in the Pipe Rolls of 1204. Alan and John Jutte wqere listed in the Assize Rolls for Cambridgeshire in 1260.

As a forename the first entry was Judde Rampe who was found in the Assize Rolls of 1246. This custom continued as Judde Clubbe was found in the Assize Rolls for Cheshire in 1260 and Judde de Halifax was found in Yorkshire in 1309. 1

The Judson variant was generally found later as in John Judson in Yorkshire in 1324 and Henry Juddessone in Cheshire in 1370. Again, this variant literally means "son of Judd or Jutt. " 1

"Hampshire is at present the home of the Judds, but there are a few of the name in the adjacent county of Wiltshire. In the 13th century Jud was a name well represented in Oxfordshire and Lincolnshire." 2

"Most of the Judsons, both in England and America, trace their origin to the neighbourhood of Leeds, and the surname is still common in Yorkshire." 3

Up north in Scotland, "Thomas Judison, and other Scottish merchants complained that their vessel was captured and sunk by the English during a truce, 1359. Andrew Yutsoun was provost of Edinburgh, 187." 4

Early History of the Jetson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Jetson research. Another 133 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1204, 1424, 1531, 1550, 1577, 1592, 1619, 1634, 1659, 1662 and 1690 are included under the topic Early Jetson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Jetson Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Jetson has been spelled many different ways, including Judd, Judson and others.

Early Notables of the Jetson family

Distinguished members of the family include Joseph Judson (born 1619-1690), English-born, Connecticut settler, local official and militia officer. He was born in Kirkbymoorside, Yorkshire, to William Judson (c. 1592-1662) and Grace (d. 1659). In 1634, at the age of 15, Joseph Judson emigrated with his parents and two younger brothers, Jeremiah and...
Another 51 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Jetson Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Canada Jetson migration to Canada +

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Jetsons to arrive in North America:

Jetson Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Mr. William Jetson U.E., "Judson" who settled in Canada c. 1784 5

New Zealand Jetson 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:

Jetson Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Nora Jetson, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Wairoa" in 1881


  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  3. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  4. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  5. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X


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