A Fun, Fact-Filled Look at the Meaning and Origin of the
Jones Surname
Jones Name Meaning
The Jones surname, with roots in Christianity, primarily means “son of John” or “John’s son.” This name is derived from John or Jone, originating from the Latin “Johannes,” which signifies “Yahweh is gracious.” In Ireland, the Gaelicized version of Jones is Mac Seóin.
While the last name Jones gained popularity in England, it is closely associated with Welsh heritage. The extensive use of patronymics in 16th century Wales and the popularity of the name John contributed to its Welsh association.
Jones Last Name Variations
Virtually all surnames have developed phonetic and spelling variations over many centuries in many countries. A person’s last name was often spelled however it sounded to the person recording it.
When you’re researching your branch of the Jones family tree, you may find that your ancestors used one or more of these variations of the Jones surname: Cone, Jane, Janes, Joiner, Jona, Jonas, Jone, Joness, Jonh, Joni, Jony, Joyner, Sone, Yones, Younes, Youness.
Jones Last Name Origin
While the Jones name is closely associated with Wales, its first recorded use was actually in England in 1273, with Matilda Jones documented during the reign of King Edward I. Today, the Jones surname is widespread throughout England, prominently along the Welsh border and in counties including Northamptonshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, and Kent.
Jones Surname in Wales
To understand the prevalence of the Jones surname in Wales, we must explore the transformation in Welsh naming practices, particularly during the major socio-political changes of the 16th century, including the Acts of Union with England.
Originally, the Welsh naming system was based on patronymics, a practice rooted deeply in their culture and legal traditions, such as those outlined in the laws of Hywel Dda (Hywel the Good). In this system, individuals were identified by their baptismal names followed by a sequence of names from their paternal lineage linked using the particle “ap,” meaning ‘son of.’ This method was integral for landholding and social identity.
About 500 years ago, during the 16th century, a pivotal change occurred. The Welsh, likely under compulsion, were encouraged to adopt fixed surnames, following the English pattern. This transition was significantly influenced by the Acts of Union, which brought Wales into closer legal and political alignment with England.
In response to these changes, many Welsh people chose surnames based on their father’s first name. Thus, a person named John, whose father was also named John, would become ‘John Jones’ – a direct result of the patronymic tradition. ‘John’ or its Welsh equivalents ‘Ioan’ or ‘Ieuan,’ were exceptionally popular at the time, leading to the widespread adoption of the surname ‘Jones,’ especially in North Wales.
One of the earliest documented instances of the Jones surname is Thomas Jones, recorded in 1538 in Denbighshire. This historical reference marks the beginning of the Jones surname as a common fixture in Welsh society.
To be “on your Jack Jones” means to be alone, a phrase with roots in the early 1890s music hall scene. Originating from the song ‘E Dunno Where ‘E Are by Fred Eplett and popularized by Gus Elen, it tells the story of Jack Jones, a former market porter who, after coming into wealth, distances himself from his past. Interestingly, the modern use of this phrase often conveys a sense of abandonment rather than aloofness. 🎭🎤🏙️
Jones Surname in America
The migration of the Jones surname to North America began in the 17th century, as Welsh families sought land, work, and freedom. The earliest known settler from the Jones family is thought to be Cadwallader Jones, likely misspelled as Chadwallader, who arrived in Virginia in 1623 on the ship Marmaduke. Following him, David Jones settled in Charles City, Virginia, by 1625. In 1631, Alexander Jones became part of these early settlers in New England, accompanied by Alice Jones, who settled in Boston during the same year.
Lewis Jones, believed to be from Wales, established himself in Roxbury, Massachusetts in 1640. By the 18th century, notable Jones figures emerged, including Edward Jones, a Welsh Quaker who settled Pennsylvania’s Merion township in 1682 and became a prominent local leader. His descendants became influential Quaker families and merchants in 19th-century Pennsylvania.
In the early 18th century, Captain Noble Jones from London settled in Georgia in 1733, with his lineage significantly influencing early Georgian politics. His descendants, including Noble Wimberly Jones and George Jones, were prominent in the state, with George briefly serving as a US Senator.
The 19th century saw further expansion of the Jones families. Welsh-born John Rice Jones arrived in Philadelphia in 1784, contributing to the establishment of new territorial governments. His family’s influence extended to Michigan and Iowa, with his son, George Jones, serving as a US Senator for Iowa from 1848 to 1859.
The Jones family also made a significant impact in the iron and steel industry. Jacob Jones, born in Philadelphia, and his son Benjamin Franklin Jones, co-founded the Jones & Laughlin Steel Company in Pittsburgh in 1861.
Another noteworthy line is the Micajah Jones family from South Carolina, who settled in Georgia in 1820. This family produced Robert Tyre Jones Sr., a department store founder, and his grandson, celebrated golfer Bobby Jones, in the 1920s.
Ever wonder where the phrase ‘Keeping up with the Joneses’ came from? It made its debut in a 1913 American comic strip! This catchy saying became super popular after World War II, mirroring the era’s booming prosperity and, quite humorously, a rise in keeping up appearances. 😄🏠🚗
Jones Surname Geography
The Jones surname currently ranks as the 208th most common last name in the world and is found in over 220 countries. It’s estimated that over 2.6 million people bear the last name Jones.
About 1.6 million people with the last name Jones live in the United States, making it the 5th most popular surname in the country. The distribution within the country shows the most Joneses in Texas (10%), California (8%), and Florida (5%).
Outside the United States, about 15% of all Joneses are found in England. Additionally, it is the single most popular name in Wales, with a significant concentration in the Cardiff area.
Did you know Susannah Mushatt Jones (July 6, 1899 – May 12, 2016) set a remarkable record? At 116 years and 311 days old, she was not only the world’s oldest living person but also the last American to have been born in the 19th century! 🌟📜
Jones Earldoms
The influence of the Jones surname extends beyond common usage into the realms of nobility and aristocracy. This is evident in the historical titles of earldoms, which showcase the prominence of individuals bearing the Jones name in British peerage. These titles not only reflect the social standing of the Jones family in history but also their contributions to politics, culture, and public service. Exploring these earldoms provides a glimpse into the diverse roles and impacts of the Jones surname across different eras.
An earl, a noble title in the British peerage system, holds a significant place in this hierarchy. Ranking below a duke and marquess, yet above a viscount and baron, the title of an earl is steeped in historical prestige. It is derived from the Old English word “eorl,” which translates to “a man of noble birth or rank,” underlining the esteemed nature of this position.
Those who hold the title of earl are traditionally addressed as ‘Lord’ followed by the name of their earldom, marking their high standing in society. As of now, there are 189 earls in the Peerages of England, Scotland, Great Britain, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.
Earl of Ranelagh
The hereditary titles of Earl of Ranelagh and Viscount Ranelagh were created in 1674 and 1669 respectively for Richard Jones (1641-1712) in the Peerage of Ireland. Richard had previously inherited the title of 2nd Viscount Ranelagh from his father in 1670. He was an influential politician and courtier, serving as Vice-Treasurer of Ireland from 1671-1681 and Paymaster of the Forces in England from 1685 until his expulsion from office in 1703.
Richard is associated with the design and development of Ranelagh Gardens and Ranelagh House in Chelsea, London. However, his titles became extinct upon his death in 1712 due to lack of legitimate male heirs. The viscountcy has remained dormant since then.
Earl of Snowdon
Antony Charles Robert Armstrong-Jones, 1st Earl of Snowdon (1930-2017) was a renowned British photographer and filmmaker best known for his portraits of world leaders and celebrities published in major magazines. He was created Earl of Snowdon and Viscount Linley in 1961 following his marriage to Princess Margaret, the sister of Queen Elizabeth II.
Snowdon was a tireless advocate for disability rights, achieving significant reforms in policy, infrastructure, and public awareness. Originally granted an earldom per royal tradition, he retained a seat in the House of Lords after most hereditaries were excluded by accepting a life peerage as Baron Armstrong-Jones in 1999.
His family name was legally changed from Jones to Armstrong-Jones in 1912 by his grandfather to distinguish himself from another Jones. The earldom of Snowdon remains extant though the title is dormant since Antony’s death in 2017 without a legitimate male heir.
Image: Lord Snowdon and Princess Margaret with United States President Lyndon Johnson and Lady Bird Johnson at the White House in 1965.
Joneses That Shaped History
Inigo Jones: Father of British Architecture
Inigo Jones (1573-1652) was the first renowned architect of the early modern period in England. As the “Father of British Architecture,” he introduced classical Roman and Italian Renaissance style to Britain. Jones designed influential buildings like the Queen’s House in Greenwich, regarded as England’s first strictly classical structure.
Initially finding fame as a theatrical set designer, Jones later served as Surveyor-General of the King’s Works under James I and Charles I. In this role, he contributed designs for the Banqueting House at Whitehall Palace, Queen’s Chapel at St James’s Palace, St Paul’s Church in Covent Garden, and proposed renovations to St Paul’s Cathedral and Whitehall. Jones left a legacy as an innovative designer guided by the principles of Vitruvian and Palladian architecture.
John Paul Jones: Father of the United States Navy
John Paul Jones (1747-1792) was a Scottish American naval commander who became a key figure for the American colonies during the Revolutionary War. He joined the fledgling Continental Navy in 1775 and quickly rose to the rank of captain, leading raids and captures against British ships.
In 1779, John commanded the USS Bonhomme Richard to victory against the HMS Serapis off the coast of England, one of the Continental Navy’s greatest feats. After the war, he briefly served as a rear admiral in the Imperial Russian Navy before retiring to Paris where he lived until his death. John was originally buried in an unmarked grave, but over a century later, his remains were identified and reinterred at the U.S. Naval Academy chapel.
John Paul Jones is remembered as the “Father of the U.S. Navy” and one of America’s most famous Revolutionary War heroes. Several ships have been named after him, and his legacy as a daring and skilled commander at sea continues to this day. He devoted himself wholeheartedly to the fight for American independence.
Davy Jones’s Locker, a term sailors fear, refers to the ocean’s depths, the final resting place for those lost at sea 🌊💀. Its origins are shrouded in mystery, with some tracing it to a ghostly figure or even a treacherous pub owner! First mentioned negatively in Daniel Defoe’s 1726 work, this phrase captures the chilling fate of drowned sailors and sunken ships. 🚢👻.
Edward Davis Jones: Co-Creator of the Dow Jones Industrial Average
Edward Davis Jones (1856-1920) was an American statistician and journalist best known for co-founding Dow Jones & Company with Charles Dow. After meeting Dow while working as reporters, the two founded the company in 1882 to produce business information.
In 1884, Jones and Dow created their famous Dow Jones Industrial Average as a definitive measure of the stock market and the U.S. economy. Two years later, they founded The Wall Street Journal as a business-focused newspaper. Through his innovations in financial news and data, Jones left a major legacy in business journalism and statistics.
Melvin Jones: Founder of Lions Clubs International
As the founder of Lions Clubs International, Melvin Jones (1879-1961) transformed a small civic group into the largest service club organization on the planet. Established in 1917 with a focus on community service, Lions Clubs today has over 1.4 million members across 200 countries running projects that assist the blind, empower youth, provide disaster relief and more.
Melvin envisioned a worldwide network of volunteers driven by “unselfish service to others.” As the longtime Secretary-General, he grew Lions Clubs by recruiting business leaders devoted to local community improvement. Under his leadership for over four decades, Lions expanded its scale and scope tremendously.
Homer Carroll Jones (1941-2023) revolutionized football celebrations! Unhappy with players tossing the ball into the stands, he created a new, safe way to celebrate in 1965. After a touchdown, he famously slammed the football down in the end zone, introducing the legendary “spike” celebration. This cool move inspired all the exciting touchdown dances we see today! 🌟🏈💥
Quincy Delight Jones Jr: Legendary Record Producer and Composer
Quincy Jones (b. 1933) is one of the most acclaimed and influential record producers and composers in music history. Over his 72-year career, Jones has amassed an astounding 28 Grammy Awards out of 80 nominations. He first rose to prominence in the 1950s as an acclaimed jazz arranger and conductor before crossing over into pop music production.
In the 1960s, Quincy arranged hits for artists like Frank Sinatra while also producing pop smashes for Lesley Gore. His arrangements bridged jazz and pop seamlessly. In the late 1960s, Quincy broke barriers by becoming the first African American nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song (“The Eyes of Love” from Banning) and the first to be nominated for Best Original Score for In Cold Blood.
Quincy went on to produce three of Michael Jackson’s most successful albums—Off the Wall, Thriller, and Bad. In 1985, he produced the all-star charity single “We Are the World,” raising millions for famine relief in Africa. Quincy has been honored as one of the most influential jazz musicians of the 20th century. He received a Grammy Legend Award in 1992 and a Kennedy Center Honor in 2001.
David Jones: Pioneering Singer and Cultural Icon
David Robert Jones (1947-2016), known professionally as David Bowie, was an acclaimed English musician and actor regarded as one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. Over his decades-long career, Bowie was renowned for his musical innovation and ever-changing visual presentation across multiple genres.
After emerging onto the music scene in 1969 with his hit “Space Oddity,” Bowie reinvented himself numerous times with iconic alter egos like Ziggy Stardust. His pioneering glam rock style and experimentation with genres from funk to electronica made him a global phenomenon through the 1970s. With classic albums like The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust, Hunky Dory, and Heroes, Bowie produced some of the era’s most groundbreaking rock music.
Bowie continued pushing boundaries up until his death in 2016. He has ranked among the greatest British artists and most significant songwriters in various polls. His enduring influence as a musical and cultural trailblazer has cemented his legacy as one of the most important rock stars of all time.
The renowned bassist and keyboardist of Led Zeppelin, known as John Paul Jones, was originally named John Baldwin. He chose his stage name after being inspired by the 1959 film about the American Revolutionary War naval hero, John Paul Jones. This idea was sparked by his friend Andrew Loog Oldham, who had come across a movie poster in France. 🎸🎹🎥
Places Named Jones in America
- Jones, Alabama
- Jones, Georgia
- Jones, Illinois
- Jones, Louisiana
- Jones, Maryland
- Jones, Michigan
- Jones, North Carolina
- Jones, Ohio
- Jones, Oklahoma
- Jones, Tennessee
- Jones, Texas
- Jones, Virginia
- Jones, West Virginia
Places Named Jones Outside America
- Jones, Pinar del Rio, Cuba
- Jones, Zacapa, Guatemala
- Jones, Isabela, Philippines
- Jones, Leyte, Philippines
- Jones, PH, Philippines
- Jones, Romblon, Philippines
- Jones, Maputo, Mozambique
- Jones, North-Western, Zambia
Jones DNA Project
The Jones Y-DNA Project, hosted by FamilyTreeDNA, aims to use Y-DNA STR results to distinguish and catalog different Jones family lineages. All descendants of the Jones family are encouraged to participate in this project, which currently includes 1,711 members.
Jones Ancestry Resources
- The general armory of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales: Comprising a registry of armorial bearings from the earliest to the present time. London: Harrison.
- “The Peerage – Index to Baronets.”
- “Baronetage.” Leigh Rayment’s Peerage Page.
- Leech, Robert. “Jones Family in Ireland; A Chapter of Hitherto Unwritten Genealogical History, with a Slight Sketch of Their Time.” M.H. Clark, 1886.
- BYU Center for Family History and Genealogy. “Keeping Up with the Jones’s.” Internet Archive, 6 July 2015.
- Jones, John Henry. “The Jones Family of Long Island; Descendants of Major Thomas Jones (1665-1726) and Allied Families.” New York: T. A. Wright, 1907.