Contents [hide]

Jonas History Etymology Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

Ireland United States New Zealand West Indies

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Motto Sources

Jonas History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany
Wales
Ireland

Etymology of Jonas

What does the name Jonas mean?

While the ancestors of the bearers of Jonas 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 Jonas 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 Jonas family

The surname Jonas 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 seat was 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 Jonas family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Jonas research. Another 58 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1550, 1578, 1589, 1605, 1610, 1618, 1619, 1628, 1637, 1638, 1640, 1643, 1645, 1649, 1650, 1656, 1658, 1660, 1669, 1673, 1674, 1681, 1697, 1712 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Jonas History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Jonas Spelling Variations

Compared to other ancient cultures found in the British Isles, the number of Welsh surnames are relatively few, but there are an inordinately large number of spelling variations. These spelling variations began almost as soon as surname usage became common. People could not specify how to spell their own names leaving the specific recording up to the individual scribe or priest. Those recorders would then spell the names as they heard them, causing many different variations. Later, many Welsh names were recorded in English. This transliteration process was extremely imprecise since the Brythonic Celtic language of the Welsh used many sounds the English language was not accustomed to. Finally, some variations occurred by the individual's design: a branch loyalty within a family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations were indicated by spelling variations of one's name. The Jonas name over the years has been spelled Jones, Jonas, Jone, Joness and others.

Early Notables of the Jonas family

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 Jonas 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; Colonel Philip Jones (1618-1674), a Welsh military...
Another 74 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Jonas Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Jonas World Ranking

In the United States, the name Jonas is the 5,228^th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 4 However, in France, the name Jonas is ranked the 7,427^th most popular surname with an estimated 1,000 - 1,500 people with that name. 5 And in South Africa, the name Jonas is the 387^th popular surname with an estimated 18,568 people with that name. 6

Migration of the Jonas family to Ireland

Some of the Jonas family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 143 words (10 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Jonas migration to the United States +

The Welsh began to emigrate to North America in the late 1800s and early 1900s in search of land, work, and freedom. Those that arrived helped shape the industry, commerce, and the cultural heritage of both Canada and the United States. The records regarding immigration and passenger show a number of people bearing the name Jonas:

Jonas Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Engel Jonas, who settled in Philadelphia in 1748
Engel Jonas, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1749 7
Johannes Jonas, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1749 7
Simon Jonas, who landed in North Carolina in 1767 7
Friederich Jonas, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1791 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Jonas Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Mr. Robert Jonas, (b. 1806), aged 26, Cornish blacksmith departing from Plymouth aboard the ship "Andromeda" arriving in the United States on 10th May 1832 8
Mr. Sebastian Jonas, German who arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1846 aboard the ship "Louise"
Mrs. Regina Jonas, (nee Geyer), German who arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1846 aboard the ship "Louise"
Mrs. Jonas, German who arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1846 aboard the ship "Riga"
Mr. Peter Jonas, aged 26, German who arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1846 aboard the ship "Riga"
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Jonas migration to Australia +

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

Jonas Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Jacob Jonas, British Convict who was convicted in London, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Earl Cornwallis" in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 9
Mr. David Jonas, British Convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 10
Mr. John Jonas, (b. 1815), aged 24, Cornish shoemaker travelling aboard the ship "Orient" arriving in New South Wales, Australia on 4th April 1839 11
Miss Mary Jonas, (b. 1817), aged 22, Cornish servant travelling aboard the ship "Orient" arriving in New South Wales, Australia on 4th April 1839 11
Mr. John Jonas, (b. 1818), aged 21, Cornish boot and shoe maker travelling aboard the ship "Orient" arriving in New South Wales, Australia on 4th April 1839 12
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Jonas 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:

Jonas Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. Matthew Jonas, (b. 1802), aged 39, British labourer travelling from Plymouth aboard the ship "Oriental" arriving in New Plymouth, Taranaki, North Island, New Zealand via Wellington on 7th November 1841 13
Mrs. Elizabeth Jonas, (b. 1804), aged 37, British settler travelling from Plymouth aboard the ship "Oriental" arriving in New Plymouth, Taranaki, North Island, New Zealand via Wellington on 7th November 1841 13
Mr. John Jonas, (b. 1828), aged 13, British settler travelling from Plymouth aboard the ship "Oriental" arriving in New Plymouth, Taranaki, North Island, New Zealand via Wellington on 7th November 1841 13
Miss Elizabeth Jonas, (b. 1833), aged 8, British settler travelling from Plymouth aboard the ship "Oriental" arriving in New Plymouth, Taranaki, North Island, New Zealand via Wellington on 7th November 1841 13
Miss Mary Jonas, (b. 1836), aged 5, British settler travelling from Plymouth aboard the ship "Oriental" arriving in New Plymouth, Taranaki, North Island, New Zealand via Wellington on 7th November 1841 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Jonas (post 1700) +

Joseph Adam Jonas (b. 1989), American singer, songwriter, and actor, member of the pop rock band the Jonas Brothers, alongside his brothers Kevin and Nick
Hans Jonas (1903-1993), German-born, American philosopher
Dusty Jonas (b. 1986), American high jumper bronze medalist
Paul Kevin Jonas II (b. 1987), American musician and actor who with his brothers Joseph Adam and Nicholas Jerry form the Jonas Brothers, an American Grammy nominated boy band
Charles Andrew Jonas (1876-1955), U.S. Representative from North Carolina
Benjamin Franklin Jonas (1834-1911), Democratic U.S. Senator from Louisiana
Ann Jonas (b. 1932), American writer and illustrator of children's picture books
John J. Jonas (1932-2025), Canadian Professor of Metallurgy at McGill University and University of Cambridge
Jonas (1707-1748), Otter, Swedish-born French diplomat, traveller, and writer
August Frederick Jonas (1858-1934), American surgeon in Nebraska
... (Another 7 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Jonas family +

Bismarck

Günther Jonas (1922-1941), German Matrosengefreiter who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 14

SS Atlantic

Angelo Jonas, who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, died in the sinking

The Jonas 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: Heb dduw, heb ddim
Motto Translation: Without God, without anything.

Sources +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
"Most Common Last Names in South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/surnames
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)
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to New York 1820 - 1891 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_new_york_1820_1891.pdf
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-cornwallis
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel-and-experiment
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, May 30). Ships' Passenger Lists of Arrivals in New South Wales on (1828 - 1842, 1848 - 1849) [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_nsw_1838_on.pdf
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_bounty_nsw.pdf
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.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