The surname Jess is of Anglo-Saxon and Jewish origin. For Anglo-Saxons, it could be a variant of the name George (Joris, Geiss), while for Jews, it's considered a short form of the Hebrew male given name Yehoshua or Joshua. The name has been used in both England and Germany among the general population, and among Jewish communities particularly in Poland and Russia. It is also found as a surname among Sephardic Jews who were expelled from Spain during the late 15th century and resettled mainly in the Ottoman Empire (current day Turkey).
Learn more about the origin of the last name Jess
The meaning and origin of the last name Jess
The surname Jess is of English, Scottish, and Jewish origins. It is believed to have various possible meanings and origins. In England, it may be derived from the Old French personal name Gisel or the Norman given name Geisil, both meaning 'pledge' or 'hostage'. In Scotland, Jess could be a diminutive form of the masculine given name James, which is derived from the Hebrew name יַעֲקֹב (Ya'akov), meaning "supplanter" or "one who follows." The Jewish origin of Jess could also stem from the Yiddish name Yechezkel, meaning 'God strengthens.' The surname Jess has been recorded in various spellings, including Jez, Jetz, and Gyss, reflecting its diverse origins.
Geographical distribution of the last name Jess
The surname Jess is predominantly distributed across the United Kingdom, particularly in Scotland and England. A significant number of individuals with this last name can be found in the historic counties of Northumberland, Durham, Cumbria, and West Yorkshire, indicating a potential historical origin from these areas. In addition, a substantial presence of the Jess family is also found in Ireland, suggesting a possible shared history or migration between the two countries. The United States, Australia, and Canada also have populations with the surname, which may be attributed to emigration waves from the British Isles over the centuries. The distribution of the last name Jess reflects the historical links between these countries, particularly between the UK and its former colonies.
Variants and spellings of the last name Jess
The surname "Jess" has several variations and spellings across different regions and time periods. Some of these include Jesse, Jese, Jessee, Jessa, Jessie, and Jezze. In some cases, additional letters may be added or removed for personal reasons or due to regional dialects. For example, in Scottish Gaelic, the name could be spelled as Seasaidh or Seasidhe. Similarly, in Welsh, it might be spelled as Ieuan, Ieuancyn, or Jeuan. In German-speaking regions, the name could appear as Jess, Jetz or Geiss. These variations serve to illustrate how surnames can change over time and across different cultures, reflecting historical events, migration patterns, and individual preferences.
Famous people with the last name Jess
Notable individuals sharing the surname Jess include:
1. Jessica Chastain: An American actress, known for her roles in "The Help," "Zero Dark Thirty," and "X-Men: Dark Phoenix." She was nominated for two Academy Awards for Best Actress.
2. Jessica Ennis-Hill: A British Olympic gold medalist in the heptathlon at the 2012 London Olympics. She is also a former World, European, Commonwealth, and British champion in the event.
3. Jessica Alba: An American actress and businesswoman, known for her roles in "Fantastic Four," "Sin City," and "Machete." She is the founder of The Honest Company, a consumer goods brand offering eco-friendly products.
4. Jessie J (Jessica Cornish): A British singer-songwriter who gained prominence with hits like "Price Tag" and "Domino." Her unique vocal range and powerful performances have earned her critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase.
5. Jessie Diggins: An American cross-country skier who, along with teammate Kikkan Randall, won the United States' first Olympic gold medal in women's cross-country skiing at the 2018 Winter Olympics.
Genealogical research on the last name Jess
The surname Jess is of English origin, dating back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old English word "geose" or "giese," meaning "goose." Early bearers of this name include Robert le Geose in the 13th century and Richard Geose in the 14th century. Over time, various spellings emerged due to changes in pronunciation and scribal errors, such as Jese, Jessey, and Jessie. The name was particularly common in the counties of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. One notable bearer of this surname is the Scottish poet William Jess (1795-1854), who published under the pseudonym "Walter Scott Junior." In North America, the Jess family immigrated from England to Virginia in the late 1600s, later spreading to other parts of the continent.
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated :
Share the origin of your last name with your friends
The last name Jesalva is of Spanish origin and is derived from the place name Jesalvo, which is a village in the province of Guadalajara in Spain. It is believed to have originated...
The last name Jesel is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German personal name "Jeise" or "Jesel," which is a variant of the name "Johann" or "John" in English. T...
The surname Jeshan is of Indian origin and is derived from the Hindi word "jashan" which means celebration or festival. It is likely that the surname was given to families who were...
The last name Jesharasiya originates from the Indian state of Gujarat. It is a surname commonly used by the Patel community in Gujarat, which indicates their clan or ancestral orig...
The last name "Jeshetti" is of Indian origin, specifically from the Telugu-speaking regions of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. It likely originates from a geographical location or fr...
The last name "Jeshim" is of Hungarian origin, derived from the personal name "Jaszim." It is believed to have originated from the Old Hungarian word "jász," meaning "Jazygian" or...
The surname "Jeshmeen" does not have a widely recognized origin or meaning in the English language. It is possible that it could be a variant spelling or a less common surname with...
The last name "Jeshw" does not appear to have a widely recognized origin or meaning in English. It may be a rare or uncommon surname that is not commonly documented in genealogical...
The last name "Jessa" is of Arabic origin, derived from the given name "Yasir," which means "wealthy" or "well-off." It is commonly found among Muslim populations in the Indian sub...
