John Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

John Origin:

England, Wales, Germany, Scotland, Ireland, Russia, France

Origins of John:

The surname of John can originates as one of the most popular names in the world. It has been recorded in every European country beginning in the 12th Century, following the Crusades. The surname of John stems from the personal given name of John, or Johannes, Johann, or Jean. There are over 1400 spellings of both the personal given name and the surname of John, and it can be considered as a biblical name, or a Crusader name. The personal given name of John, and all of its spellings can be originally traced from the Hebrew personal given name of “Yochanan,” which can be translated to mean “he who Jehovah has favored,” or “he who Jehovah has blessed with a son.” The personal given name of John became popular throughout the countries in Europe following the Crusades, when returning Crusaders began to call their children by biblical names in commemoration of those who had pilgrimaged to the Holy Land. The surname of John was given to those who are the “son of John,” but oftentimes the usual patronymic addition of the “s,” meaning “son of,” was dropped in this particular surname.

Variations:

More common variations are: Johny, Johne, Johni, Johhn, Johno, Johnh, Johnu, Jeohn, Joahn, Joehn, Johns, Johnes, Johncock, Joanes, Johanes, Johan, Jon, Jean

History:

England:

The first recording of the surname of John can be found in the country of England following the Crusades. One person who was recorded to have the name of Thomas John was mentioned in the Hundred Rolls of the county of Buckinghamshire in the year of 1279. This document was ordered, decreed, and written under the reign of one King Edward I of England, who was commonly known throughout the ages as one “Edward Longshanks,” or “The Hammer of the Scots,” and was thus named for the hardships and conquests that he bestowed upon the people of Scotland throughout his reign. King Edward I of England ruled from the year of 1272 to the year of 1307. Another mention of the surname of John in the country of England was one Arnold Johan who was mentioned in the Letter Book Register for the city of London in the year of 1280. This document was also ordered, decreed, and written under the reign of King Edward I of England. Those who bear the surname of John in the country of England can be found in large concentrations in the areas of Cornwall and Devon.

Scotland:

Those who bear the surname of John within the country of Scotland can be found in large populations in the areas of Midlothian, Renfrewshire, Lanarkshire, Angus, Fife, and Ayrshire.

Germany

In the country of Germany, the first recorded spelling of the surname of John can be found in the year of 1343. One Walterus filius Johannis was mentioned in the Charters of the town of Vaihingen.

United States of America:

Within the United States of America, those who bore the surname of John can be found in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Wisconsin, Louisiana and in the state of Texas.

Here is the population distribution of the last name John: Tanzania 399,3919; Nigeria 387,284; India 109,361; Uganda 59, 186; United States 58,859; Kenya 27,699; Sudan 26,804; England 25,705; Malaysia 16,947; Papua New Guinea 16,687

Notable People:

Thomas Edward “Tommy” John Jr. (born in 1943) who was a former MLB pitcher from America with 288 career victories, and who Tommy John Surgery was named after, which was a surgical graft procedure that was used to replace a tendon, and which was first first performed by Dr. F. Jobe in the year of 1974

Louise Moses John, who served as a Delegate to the Democratic National Convention from the state of Pennsylvania in the years of 1952, 1956, 1960, and 1964, and who was a Democratic politician from America

Julian John, who served as a Delegate to the Democratic National Convention from the state of Illinois in the year of 1972, and who was a Democratic politician from America

John N John Jr., who served as a Member of the Louisiana State House of Representatives in the year of 1974 to the year of 1982, and who was a politician from America

Jesse J. John, who served as a Member of the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives from Northumberland County in the year of 1875 to the year of 1876, and who was a politician from America

Blazons & Genealogy Notes

1) (Penzance, co. Cornwall; formerly of Phillack, same co.). Ar. two bars sa. on a chief of the last as many bezants. Crest—An arm in armour embowed, grasping a sword.
2) Ar. a chev. betw. three Cornish choughs sa. beaked and membered gu. a bordure engr. of the second. Crest—Two battle axes in saltire ppr. blades or, thereon standing a Cornish chough, as in the arms.
3) Sa. a chev. betw. three wilk shells ar. Crest—A demi lion ramp. ppr.
4) Sa. a chev. betw. three trefoils slipped ar.