Jopson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The name Jopson was spawned by the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture that ruled a majority of Britain. It comes from the baptismal nameJob. The surname Jopson referred to the son of Job which belongs to the category of patronymic surnames. 1

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 Jopson family

The surname Jopson was first found in Cumberland (Cumbria) where Joppe son of Joppeson was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of 1332. Later in the Yorkshire, Ralph Jopson was found at Whitby in 1382. 2

As one would expect, the close proximity of the Scottish border led to movement north. "Janet Jobsone [was found] in Edinburgh, 1618, [and] Andrew Jobson was portioner of Wolfclyde, parish of Culter, 1650." 3

Early History of the Jopson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Jopson research. Another 74 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1202, 1564, 1573, 1618, 1619, 1620, 1621 and 1623 are included under the topic Early Jopson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Jopson Spelling Variations

Jopson 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 Jopson have been found, including Jobson, Job, Jobes, Jobe and others.

Early Notables of the Jopson family

Distinguished members of the family include Sir Francis Jobson (d. 1573), Lieutenant of the Tower who was apparently of Yorkshire descent. "He fixed his residence at Monkwike, in the out-parish of West Doniland, the reversion of which had been granted by Edward VI to his wife's half-brother, John Dudley, earl of Warwick. But the latter gave it to Jobson in consideration of large sums which Jobson had lent him, and of the care which Jobson had bestowed on his children. Jobson was knighted in the reign of Edward VI, and in the same reign was appointed surveyor of woods belonging to...
Another 274 words (20 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Jopson Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Jopson 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 Jopsons to arrive on North American shores: Francis Jobson settled in Barbados in 1671; along with Nathaniel; Nancy and Margaret Jobson arrived in Barstable Massachusetts in 1822 with two children..

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)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
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)