Name Directory by Last Name: Last Names Starting with Ja

The surname Jacoby has its historical roots in the Hebrew name "Yaakov," which translates to "supplanter" or "holder of the heel." The name first appeared in medieval Europe, particularly among Jewish communities, where it was often adopted as a surname in the 18th and 19th centuries. As Jewish families migrated across Europe, particularly to Germany and Poland, the surname Jacoby became more prevalent.

The surname Jaeger has its roots in the German language, deriving from the Middle High German word "jæger," which translates to "hunter." Historically, the surname first appeared in the medieval period, particularly in regions of Germany, where hunting was a significant activity both for sustenance and as a noble pursuit. The name was often associated with individuals who held the occupation of a hunter or those who were part of the nobility, as hunting was a favored pastime among the aristocracy.

The surname Jacquet has its historical roots in France, deriving from the given name "Jacques," which is the French form of "James." The name itself is derived from the Hebrew name "Yaakov," meaning "supplanter." The surname Jacquet first appeared in the medieval period, particularly in the northern regions of France, where it was common for surnames to evolve from personal names. Over time, individuals bearing the surname often engaged in various occupations, including farming and trade, reflecting the agrarian and mercantile society of the time.

The surname Jakobsen has its roots in Scandinavia, particularly in Denmark and Norway, where it originated as a patronymic surname meaning "son of Jakob." The name Jakob itself is derived from the Hebrew name Yaakov, which means "supplanter" or "holder of the heel." The use of patronymics was common in these regions, especially during the Middle Ages, as it helped to identify individuals based on their father's name. Over time, the surname Jakobsen became associated with various occupations, often linked to agrarian lifestyles, as many bearers of the name were involved in farming or trades related to rural life.

The surname Jackman has its historical roots in England, with origins tracing back to the medieval period. It is derived from the given name "Jack," which itself is a diminutive of "John," combined with the suffix "-man," indicating "son of" or "servant of." The name Jackman likely emerged in the 13th century, as surnames began to be adopted for identification purposes.

The surname Janes has its historical roots primarily in England, where it is derived from the given name "Jane," which itself is a feminine form of the name "John." The name John comes from the Hebrew name Yochanan, meaning "God is gracious." The surname Janes likely emerged in the medieval period, around the 13th century, as a patronymic surname, indicating "son of Jane" or "descendant of Jane." Over time, it became associated with various occupations, particularly in rural communities where individuals were often identified by their familial connections. The surname may also reflect social roles, as many bearers of the name were involved in agriculture or trades common in their regions. Culturally, the surname Janes has seen variations in spelling and pronunciation across different regions, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States.

The surname Jansz has its historical roots in the Netherlands, particularly among Dutch-speaking communities. It is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from the given name of an ancestor, in this case, "Jan," which is the Dutch form of "John." The suffix "-sz" indicates "son of," thus translating to "son of Jan." This naming convention was common in the Netherlands during the 16th and 17th centuries, a period marked by significant social and economic changes, including the rise of trade and the establishment of the Dutch Republic.

The surname Jasper has historical roots that can be traced back to the Middle Ages, primarily in England and France. It is derived from the given name "Jasper," which itself is of Persian origin, meaning "treasurer." The name gained popularity in Europe due to its association with one of the Three Wise Men in Christian tradition, who is often referred to as Saint Jasper.

The surname Jacquot has its historical roots in France, where it is believed to have originated as a diminutive form of the name Jacques, which itself is derived from the Hebrew name Yaakov (Jacob). The name Jacques was popular in medieval France, and the suffix "-ot" indicates a familiar or affectionate form, suggesting that the original bearers of the surname were likely connected to someone named Jacques.

The surname Jacobsdr, a variant of Jacobs, has its historical roots in the Hebrew name Yaakov, meaning "supplanter" or "holder of the heel." This surname first appeared in medieval Europe, particularly in the Jewish communities of Spain and later in the Ashkenazi communities of Central and Eastern Europe. Over time, Jacobsdr evolved as a patronymic surname, indicating "son of Jacob," and became associated with various occupations, including those of merchants, scholars, and craftsmen, reflecting the diverse roles that individuals with this surname played in their communities.

The surname Jansdr, a patronymic derived from the given name Jan, has its historical roots in the Netherlands and Scandinavia, where it first appeared in the medieval period. The name Jan is a variant of Johannes, meaning "God is gracious," and the suffix "-dr" indicates "son of," thus translating to "son of Jan." This surname likely emerged in the 16th century, during a time when surnames became more standardized in Europe.

The surname Jarman has its historical roots in England, with its earliest appearances dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Old French personal name "Germain," which itself comes from the Latin "Germanus," meaning "brother" or "related." The name likely entered England after the Norman Conquest of 1066, as many French names were adopted by the English nobility and commoners alike.

The surname Jacobi has its roots in the Latin name "Jacobus," which is derived from the Hebrew name "Yaakov" (Jacob). Historically, the surname first appeared in medieval Europe, particularly in regions such as Germany and the Netherlands, where it was often used as a patronymic surname, indicating "son of Jacob." The name became associated with various occupations, particularly in the context of Jewish communities, where it was common for surnames to reflect lineage or ancestry.

The surname Jagger has its historical roots in England, with its earliest appearances dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to derive from the Old French word "jaguer," meaning "to cut" or "to notch," which likely referred to a person who was a maker of notched tools or a person who worked with wood.

The surname Jaques has its historical roots in the Old French name "Jacques," which is derived from the Latin "Iacobus," meaning "supplanter." The name first appeared in France during the medieval period, particularly in the 12th century, and was commonly associated with the Christian name James. As a patronymic surname, Jaques often indicated lineage, suggesting "son of Jacques." Over time, individuals bearing this surname were frequently linked to various occupations, including those of artisans, merchants, and landowners, reflecting the social roles prevalent in medieval society.

The surname Janson has its historical roots primarily in Northern Europe, particularly in Scandinavia and the Netherlands. It is derived from the given name "Jan," which is a variant of "John," meaning "God is gracious" in Hebrew.

The surname Jardine has its historical roots in Scotland, particularly in the region of Dumfries and Galloway. The name is derived from the Old French word "jardin," meaning "garden," which suggests that the original bearers of the surname may have been associated with gardening or land cultivation.

The surname Jahn has its historical roots in Germany, deriving from the given name "Johann," which is the German form of "John." The name John itself has biblical origins, meaning "God is gracious." The surname Jahn likely emerged in the medieval period, around the 12th century, as a patronymic surname, indicating "son of Johann." Over time, it became associated with various occupations, particularly in agrarian societies where individuals were often identified by their father's name or their trade. The Jahn surname may also reflect geographical features, as many surnames in Germany are derived from local landmarks or regions, although specific associations for Jahn are less documented. Culturally, the surname Jahn has variations across different regions and languages, including "Jahnke" or "Jahnsson" in Scandinavian contexts, which reflect local linguistic adaptations.

The surname Jacquemin has its roots in the French-speaking regions of Europe, particularly in France and Belgium. It is derived from the given name "Jacques," which is the French form of "James." The name itself has biblical origins, tracing back to the Hebrew name "Yaakov," meaning "supplanter." The surname Jacquemin likely emerged during the medieval period, when surnames began to be adopted more widely, particularly in the 12th and 13th centuries.

The surname Jaffe has its historical roots in the Jewish communities of Europe, particularly in the Ashkenazi tradition. It is believed to derive from the Hebrew name "Yafe," meaning "beautiful" or "handsome." The surname likely emerged in the Middle Ages, a period when Jews in Europe began adopting surnames for identification, often based on personal characteristics, occupations, or geographical locations.