Contents [hide]

John History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Motto Citations

John History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Wales

Early Origins of the John family

The surname John 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 John family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our John research. Another 115 words (8 lines of text) are included under the topic Early John History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

John 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.

Early Notables of the John family

Prominent amongst the family during the late Middle Ages was

Sir Thomas Johns of Cornwall

John World Ranking

In the United States, the name John is the 1,172^nd most popular surname with an estimated 24,870 people with that name. 1 However, in Canada, the name John 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

John 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:

John Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

James John, who arrived in Virginia in 1636 7
Hills John, who arrived in Virginia in 1648 7
Donio John, who arrived in Virginia in 1656 7
Edward John, who landed in Maryland in 1665 7
Evan John, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1678-1679 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

John Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Mary John, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1701-1703 7
Nelson, John Sr., who arrived in North Carolina in 1702 7
Rebecca John, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1703 7
Cadder John, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1704 7
Jenkins John, who landed in Virginia in 1705 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

John Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Simon John, aged 35, who arrived in New York in 1812 7
Thomas John, who arrived in New York in 1822 7
Elias John, who arrived in New York, NY in 1840 7
Henry Cart John, aged 25, who landed in Mobile County, Ala in 1840 7
Valentine John, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1844 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

John Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Roched John, who landed in Mississippi in 1904 7

John migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

John Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

S John, who arrived in Victoria, British Columbia in 1862

John migration to Australia +

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

John Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Mann John, British Convict who was convicted in Warwick, Warwickshire, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Elizabeth" on 11th August 1820, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 8
Mr. Thomas John, Welsh convict who was convicted in Glamorgan, Glamorganshire, Wales for life, transported aboard the "Chapman" on 12th April 1826, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 9
Mr. Pierre John, British convict who was convicted in Grenada for 7 years, transported aboard the "Elphinstone" on 20th January 1836, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 10
James John, aged 27, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Prince Regent" in 1851 11
James John, aged 27, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1851 aboard the ship "Prince Regent" 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

John 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:

John Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Daniel John, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Celestial Queen" in 1870
Llewellyn John, aged 27, a labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Arawa" in 1884
Sarah A. John, aged 26, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Arawa" in 1884
Eustace John, aged 6, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Arawa" in 1884
Amy John, aged 1, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Arawa" in 1884

John Settlers in New Zealand in the 20th Century

John John, aged 22, a miner, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "S. S. Waimana" in 1926
Olive John, aged 18, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "S. S. Waimana" in 1926
Isaac John, aged 12, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "S. S. Waimana" in 1926

Contemporary Notables of the name John (post 1700) +

Mable John (1930-2022), American blues vocalist, the first female signed by Berry Gordy to Motown's Tamla label
Susan V. John (1957-2021), American politician who served in the New York State Assembly from Monroe County, New York (1991-2010)
Thomas Edward "Tommy" John Jr. (b. 1943), American Major League Baseball former pitcher who had 288 career victories, eponym of Tommy John surgery, a revolutionary surgical graft procedure to replace a tendon first performed by Dr. F. Jobe in 1974
Louise Moses John, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Pennsylvania, 1952, 1956, 1960, 1964 12
Julian John, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Illinois, 1972 12
John N. John Jr., American politician, Member of Louisiana State House of Representatives, 1974-82 12
Jesse J. John, American politician, Member of Pennsylvania State House of Representatives from Northumberland County, 1875-76 12
George W. John, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for Michigan State House of Representatives from Macomb County, 1910 12
Frederick C. T. John, American Republican politician, Postmaster at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1954-65 (acting, 1954) 12
Eva John, American Republican politician, Presidential Elector for California, 1952 12
... (Another 20 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the John family +

Bismarck

Joseph John (1920-1941), German Maschinenobergefreiter who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 13

HMS Cornwall

Edward John (1910-1942), Hemsley, (1910-1942), born in Punnetts Town, Heatherfield, East Sussex, England, British Stoker 2nd Class aboard the HMS Cornwall when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he died in the sinking 14

HMS Hood

Mr. Thomas John (b. 1921), Welsh Marine serving for the Royal Marine from Maestag, Glamorgan, Wales, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 15

HMS Repulse

Mr. Howard Stanley John, British Able Bodied Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and died in the sinking 16

Senghenydd colliery

Mr. Thomas John (b. 1882), Welsh coal miner from Senghenydd, Caerphilly, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died 17
Mr. Daniel John (b. 1887), Welsh coal miner from Senghenydd, Caerphilly, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died 17
Mr. Owen Morien John (b. 1891), Welsh coal miner from Senghenydd, Caerphilly, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died 17
Mr. William John (b. 1820), Welsh coal miner from Abertridwr, Caerphilly, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died 17

The John Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Deus pascit corvos
Motto Translation: God feeds the ravens.

Citations +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 3rd March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elizabeth
Convict Records of Australia. Retreived 28th January 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/chapman
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elphinstone
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) PRINCE REGENT 1851. Retrieved http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1851PrinceRegent.htm
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 3) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
Bismarck & Tirpitz Class - Crew List Bismarck. (Retrieved 2018, February 06). Retrieved from https://www.bismarck-class.dk/bismarck/crew/bismarck_crew.html#crew_details
Force Z Survivors Crew List HMS Cornwall (Retrieved 2018, February 13th) - Retrieved from https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listcornwallcrew.html#A
H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
Universal Colliery Senghenydd 1913 disaster retrieved 21st September 2019, retrieved from http://www.welshcoalmines.co.uk/deathrolls/SenghenyddDead1913.htm