Johns History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Johns family

The surname Johns was first found in Carmarthenshire (Welsh: Sir Gaerfyrddin), located in Southwest Wales, one of thirteen historic counties and presently one of the principal area in Wales, where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the ‘Johns family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our ‘Johns research.

Johns Spelling Variations

There are relatively few surnames native to Wales, but they have an inordinately large number of spelling variations. Early variations of Welsh surnames can be explained by the fact that very few people in the early Middle Ages were literate. Priests and the few other literate people were responsible for recording names in official documents. And because most people could not specific how to properly record their names it was up to the individual recorder of that time to determine how a spoken name should be recorded. Variations due to the imprecise or improper recording of a name continued later in history when names originally composed in the Brythonic Celtic, language of Wales, known by natives as Cymraeg, were transliterated into English. Welsh names that were documented in English often changed dramatically since the native language of Wales, which was highly inflected, did not copy well. Occasionally, however, spelling variations were carried out according to an individual’s specific design: a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations could be indicated by minor variations. The spelling variations of the name John have included Johnes, Johns, John, Johne and others.

Johns World Ranking

In the United States, the name Johns is the 1,172^nd most popular surname with an estimated 24,870 people with that name. [1] However, in Canada, the name Johns is ranked the 882^nd most popular surname with an estimated 6,051 people with that name. [2] And in France, the name John is the 2,605^th popular surname with an estimated 2,500 – 3,000 people with that name. [3]Australia ranks John as 421^st with 8,881 people. [4] New Zealand ranks John as 430^th with 1,552 people. [5] The United Kingdom ranks John as 418^th with 15,582 people. [6]

 Johns migration to the United States +

Many Welsh families joined their Scottish and Irish neighbors during the late 1800s and early 1900s in seeking refuge in North America. Like the Irish and Scottish, many Welsh anxiously awaited the work, freedom, and opportunities that they believed lay in North America. Those who did journey over to the United States and what became known as Canada often realized those dreams, but only through much toil and perseverance. Whenever and however these Welsh immigrants arrived in North America, they were instrumental in the creation of the industry, commerce, and cultural heritage within those two developing nations. In the immigration and passenger lists a number of early immigrants bearing the name John were found: 

Johns Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• James Johns, who arrived in Virginia in 1636 [7]
• Hills Johns, who arrived in Virginia in 1648 [7]
• Donio Johns who arrived in Virginia in 1656 [7]
• Edward Johns, who landed in Maryland in 1665 [7]
• Evan Johns, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1678-1679 [7]

Johns Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• Mary Johns, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1701-1703 [7]
• Nelson, Johns Sr., who arrived in North Carolina in 1702 [7]
• Rebecca Johns, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1703 [7]
• Cadder Johns, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1704 [7]
• Jenkins Johns, who landed in Virginia in 1705 [7]

John Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Simon Johns, aged 35, who arrived in New York in 1812 [7]
• Thomas Johns, who arrived in New York in 1822 [7]
• Elias Johns, who arrived in New York, NY in 1840 [7]
• Henry Cart Johns, aged 25, who landed in Mobile County, Ala in 1840 [7]
• Valentine Johns, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1844 [7]

Johns Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

• Roched Johns, who landed in Mississippi in 1904 [7]