Jones History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

While the ancestors of the bearers of Jones came from ancient Welsh-Celtic origins, the name itself has its roots in Christianity. This surname comes from the personal name John, which is derived from the Latin Johannes, meaning “Yahweh is gracious.” 

This name has always been common in Britain, rivaling William in popularity by the beginning of the 14th century. The feminine form Joan, or Johanna in Latin, was also popular, and the surname Jones may be derived from either the male or female name. “Though its origins are in England, the surname is predominately held by people of Welsh extraction due to the overwhelming use of patronymics in Wales from the 16th century and the prevalence of the name John at that time.” [1] “Next to John Smith, John Jones is probably the most common combination of names in Britain.” [2]

Early Origins of the Jones family

The surname Jones was first found in Denbighshire (Welsh: Sir Ddinbych), a historic county in Northeast Wales created by the Laws in Wales Act 1536, where their ancient family seatwas at Llanerchrugog.

The name Jones, currently one of the most prolific in the world, descends from three main sources: from Gwaithvoed, Lord Cardigan, Chief of one of the 15 noble tribes of North Wales in 921; from Bleddyn Ap Cynfyn, King of Powys; and from Dyffryn Clwyd, a Chieftain of Denbighland.

All three lines merged in Denbighshire about the 11th century and it is not known which of the three can be considered the main branch of the family. Later some of the family ventured into England. “[The parish of Astall in Oxfordshire] was formerly the residence of Sir Richard Jones, one of the judges of the court of common pleas in the reign of Charles I.; and there are still some remains of the ancient manor-house near the church, which are now converted into a farmhouse.” [3]

“Llanarth Court [in Monmouthshire], the admired seat of John Jones, Esq., is a handsome and spacious mansion, the front ornamented with an elegant portico resembling that of the temple of Pæstum.” [3]

Early History of the Jones family

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

Jones Spelling Variations

Welsh surnames are relatively few in number, but they have an inordinately large number of spelling variations. There are many factors that explain the preponderance of Welsh variants, but the earliest is found during the Middle Ages when Welsh surnames came into use. Scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, which often resulted in a single person’s name being inconsistently recorded over his lifetime. The transliteration of Welshnames into English also accounts for many of the spelling variations: the unique Brythonic Celtic language of the Welsh had many sounds the English language was incapable of accurately reproducing. It was also common for members of a same surname to change their names slightly, in order to signify a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations. For all of these reasons, the many spelling variations of particular Welsh names are very important. The surname Jones has occasionally been spelled Jones, Jonas, Jone, Joness and others.

Early Notables of the Jones family (pre 1700)

Prominent amongst the family during the late Middle Ages was Gwaithvoed Lord Cardigan, Bleddyn Ap Cynfyn, and Dyffryn Clwyd Jones, the three patriarchs of the Jones family; John Jones of Gellilyfdy (c. 1578-c.1658), a Welsh lawyer, antiquary, calligrapher, manuscript collector and scribe; Richard Jones (1638-1712), first Earl of Ranelagh; Sir Samuel Jones (1610-1673), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons in 1656 and 1660.

Jones World Ranking

In the United States, the name Jones is the 4^th most popular surname with an estimated 1,544,427 people with that name. [4] However, in Canada, the name Jones is ranked the 14^thmost popular surname with an estimated 68,210 people with that name. [5] And in Quebec, Canada, the name Jones is the 478^th popular surname. [6] Newfoundland, Canada ranks Jones as 63^rd with 413 people. [7] France ranks Jones as 3,371^st with 2,000 – 2,500 people. [8]Australia ranks Jones as 2^nd with 111,307 people. [9] New Zealand ranks Jones as 3^rd with 8,563 people. [10] The United Kingdom ranks Jones as 2^nd with 437,227 people. [11] South Africa ranks Jones as 263^rd with 25,988 people. [12]

 Migration of the Jones family to Ireland

Some of the Jones family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.

 Jones migration to the United States +

In the 1800s and 1900s, many Welsh families left for North America, in search of land, work, and freedom. Those who made the trip successfully helped contribute to the growth of industry, commerce, and the cultural heritage of both Canada and the United States. In the immigration and passenger lists were a number of people bearing the name Jones 

Jones Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• Mr. Thomas Jones, aged 35, who arrived in Virginia in 1619 aboard the ship “Bona Nova” [13]
• Mr. Anthony Jones, aged 26, who arrived in Virginia aboard the ship “Falcon” in 1620 [13]
• Mr. Theodore Jones, aged 16, who arrived in Virginia in 1620 aboard the ship “Margaret & John” [13]
• Mr. Henry Jones, aged 25, who arrived in Virginia in 1622 aboard the ship “Southampton” [13]
• Mr. David Jones, aged 22, who arrived in Virginia in 1622 aboard the ship “Truelove” [13]

Jones Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• David Jones, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1712 [14]
• Arthur Jones, who arrived in Virginia in 1724 [14]
• Cornelius Jones, who arrived in Georgia in 1732 [14]
• Roger Jones, who arrived in South Carolina in 1738

Jones Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Christian Jones, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1801 [14]
• William Jones, who landed in New York in 1815 [14]
• James Jones, who arrived in Puerto Rico in 1816 [14]
• Sarah Jones, who settled in New York in 1821
• Caroline Jones, who landed in New York in 1824 [14]

Jones Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

• Mr. Stephen Jones, (b. 1877), aged 24, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship “Lucania” arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 20th July 1901 en route to Butte, Montana, USA [15]
• Mr. James Jones, (b. 1837), aged 64, Cornish farmer, from Hayle, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship “Germanic” arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 25th October 1901 en route to Benton, Wisconsin, USA [15]
• Mrs. Lillie Jones, (b. 1877), aged 26, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship “Teutonic” arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 9th April 1903 en route to Grass Valley, California [15]
• Mr. Cecil Jones, (b. 1901), aged 2, Cornish settler, from Camborne, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship “Teutonic” arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 9th April 1903 en route to Grass Valley, California, USA [15]
• Miss Cerita Jones, (b. 1902), aged 1, Cornish settler, from Camborne, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship “Teutonic” arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 9th April 1903 en route to Grass Valley, California, USA [15]

 Jones migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were: 

Jones Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

• Mr. Ebenezer Jones Jr., U.E. (b. 1720) from New York, USA who settled in Home District, Saltfleet Township [Hamilton], Ontario c. 1780 he served in the Orange Rangers, married to Sarah Lockwood they had 5 children [16]
• Capt. John Jones U.E., aka “Mahogany Jones” born in Maine, USA from Pownalborough, who settled in Grand Manan Island, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1780 he served in the Rangers, member of the Port Matoon association as well as Penobscot Association [16]
• Mr. Garret Jones U.E. who settled in Belle Vue, Beaver Harbour, New Brunswick c. 1783 [16]
• Mr. Thomas Jones U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783 was passenger number 290 aboard the ship “HMS Clinton”, picked up on September 28, 1783 at Staten Island, New York [16]
• Mrs. Hannah Jones U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783 was passenger number 319 aboard the ship “HMS Clinton”, picked up on September 28, 1783 at Staten Island, New York [16]

Jones Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

• Ty. Jones, aged 50, a farmer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship “John” from Liverpool, England
• John Jones, aged 24, a farmer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship “John” from Liverpool, England
• Robert Jones, aged 20, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship “Billow” in 1833
• Richard Jones, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship “Protector” in 1834
• William Jones, aged 19, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship “Highlander” in 1834

 Jones migration to Australia+

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include: 

Jones Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

• Mr. John Jones, English convict who was convicted in Shropshire, England for life, transported aboard the “Barwell” in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia[17]
• Mr. John Jones, English convict who was convicted in Worcester, Worcestershire, England for life, transported aboard the “Barwell” in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [17]
• Mr. John Jones, (Carroll), English convict who was convicted in London, England for 7 years, transported aboard the “Barwell” in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia[17]
• Mr. Thomas Jones, English convict who was convicted in Worcester, Worcestershire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the “Barwell” in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [17]
• Mr. Thomas Jones, (Miles), (b. 1776), aged 21, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the “Barwell” in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1857 [17]

Jones Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Miss Elizabeth Jones, (Evans), British Convict who was convicted in Shropshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the “Earl Cornwallis” in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [18]
• Mr. John Jones, British Convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the “Earl Cornwallis” in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [18]
• Mr. Joseph Jones, British Convict who was convicted in Somerset, England for 7 years, transported aboard the “Earl Cornwallis” in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [18]
• Miss Mary Jones, (b. 1760), aged 40, British Convict who was convicted in Chester, Cheshire, England for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the “Earl Cornwallis” in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, she died in 1827 [18]
• Mr. Sampson Jones, British Convict who was convicted in Worcester, Worcestershire, England for life, transported aboard the “Earl Cornwallis” in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [18]

 Jones 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: 

Jones Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

• Mr. Andrew Jones, Australian settler travelling from Hobart, Tasmania, Australia aboard the ship “Bee” arriving in New Zealand in 1831 [19]
• Mr. Stephen Jones, Australian settler travelling from Port of Hobart, Tasmania, Australia on board the ship “David Owen” arriving in New Zealand in 1832 [19]
• Thomas Jones, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1839 aboard the ship Success
• Thomas Jones, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship “Success” in 1839
• Joseph Jones, aged 21, a gardener, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship “Martha Ridgeway” in 1840

Jones Settlers in New Zealand in the 20th Century

• Chris Jones, aged 22, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship “S. S. Waimana” in 1926

 Jones migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960’s many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. [20]

Jones Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

• Mr. Richard Jones, (b. 1611), aged 23, British settler travelling from London, UK arriving in St Christopher (St. Kitts) on 5th January 1634 [14]
• Mr. Edward Jones, (b. 1613), aged 21, British settler travelling from London, UK arriving in St Christopher (St. Kitts) on 5th January 1634 [14]
• Mr. Thomas Jones, (b. 1615), aged 19, British settler travelling from Gravesend, UK aboard the ship “Hopewell” arriving in Barbados on 17th February 1634 [14]
• Miss Marie Jones, (b. 1615), aged 20, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship “Anne and Elizabeth” arriving in Barbados in 1635 [21]
• Miss Edith Jones, (b. 1614), aged 21, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship “Alexander” arriving in Barbados in 1635 [22]

Contemporary Notables of the name Jones (post 1700) +

• Sir Thomas Woodward “Tom” Jones OBE (b. 1940), born Thomas Jones Woodward, popular Welsh singer and actor particularly noted for his powerful voice in songs like “It’s Not Unusual”, “What’s New Pussycat?”, and many more
• David Robert Jones (1947-2016), better known as David Bowie, an English rock singer, who became famous for his wide variety of musical and personal styles
• Ron Cephas Jones (1957-2023), American actor best known for This Is Us, Mr. Robot, and Luke Cage, he earned four consecutive Primetime Emmy Award nominations, winning twice for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series in 2018 and 2020
• Anthony Edward “Tony” Jones (1966-2021), American professional football offensive tackle in the National Football League from 1988 to 2000
• Tom Jones (1928-2023), American lyricist and librettist, best known for The Fantasticks, 110 in the Shade, and I Do! I Do!
• Homer Carroll Jones (1941-2023), American professional NFL football wide receiver for the New York Giants (1964–1969) and Cleveland Browns (1970), credited with inventing the “spike” touchdown celebration
• Thomas David Jones (b. 1955), American former NASA Astronaut with over 1,272 hours in space [23]
• Grover William “Deacon” Jones (1934-2023), American Major League Baseball player, coach, manager and scout who appeared in 40 games as a first baseman and pinch hitter for the Chicago White Sox
• Frederick Russell Jones (1930-2023), birth name of Ahmad Jamal, an American jazz pianist, composer, bandleader, and educator, recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Grammy for his contributions to music history
• John Bailey Jones (1927-2023), American jurist, Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the District of South Dakota (1995-2023)