Surname Jess - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'J'
Jess: What does the surname Jess mean?
The surname Jess is of Scottish origin and is derived from the personal name "John" which means "graced by God". It is classified as a patronymic surname, that denotes descendant of John. Over a period of time, this personal name evolved into different forms and was shortened to Jehn or Jess. It was fairly common for a son's surname to be derived from the father's first name during medieval times and hence, Jess might have originated as an identity for "John's son". While this surname is most prevalent in Germany, it is also found in England, Denmark, and the US. It’s significant to note that this is a broad interpretation of the surname Jess. The actual meaning of a surname can depend on the specific family line and its history.
Order DNA origin analysisJess: Where does the name Jess come from?
The last name Jess is believed to have German origins. The name is thought to derive from the personal name Jesse, which derives from the Hebrew "yishai," meaning "gift" or "God's gift." The name was common among Christians, often being bestowed to honor St. Jess, a 4th-century Goth who was martyred with his brother Edistus.
The surname Jess could also be an occupational surname for someone who made and sold "jesses," which were straps around the legs of falcons used in falconry.
Today, the name Jess is more common as a first name in English-speaking countries. However, as a surname, it tends to be most common in the United States, Germany, and to some extent in Denmark and Canada. Despite this, it remains a relatively rare surname worldwide. The name could also have different origins and meanings in other countries and cultures.
Even though the popularity and presence of the surname may vary, it should be remembered that surnames often have complex histories intertwined with migration, language changes, and cultural shifts, and hence, the prevalence could differ over time and place.
Variations of the surname Jess
The surname Jess can have several variants including Jest, Jesso, Jestt, and Jesso. Some other spelling variations could be Jes, Jessy, or Jessie. It is also possible to find the surname Jess as a component in a compound surname, such as Jess-Smith or Jess-Johnson, where families have chosen to combine their surnames.
The surname Jess is common in several countries, and thus its origin may vary. For example, in Germany, the surname could be linked to the surname Jäss or Jäsz which may have different spelling variants, such as Yess, Yäss, or even Jass.
In Scotland, the name Jess can be a variant of Jessiman, originating from the name Jessiman in the old barony of Inverugie, Aberdeenshire. Variants of this name include Jessamine, Jessiman, and Jesman.
There may be many more variants and spellings of the surname Jess, influenced by language, culture, and geographical factors throughout history. It is best to trace the surname back through genealogical records to understand the full range of potential variants and origins.
Famous people with the name Jess
- Jessica Simpson: Jessica Simpson is an American singer, actress, and entrepreneur who rose to fame in the 2000s with her chart-topping hits "I Wanna Love You Forever" and "With You."
- Jessica Chastain: Jessica Chastain is an American actress and producer who has starred in a number of critically acclaimed films and television series. Most notably, she starred in the suspense thriller Zero Dark Thirty and the dystopian science fiction film The Martian.
- Jessica Alba: Jessica Alba is an American actress, businesswoman, author, and model who rose to fame in the late 1990s and early 2000s with roles in the film Never Been Kissed, Honey, and Sin City.
- Jessica Biel: Jessica Biel is an American actress and singer who gained fame with her starring role in the television series 7th Heaven. She has also starred in a number of films, including The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Blade: Trinity, The A-Team, and Total Recall.
- Jessica Lange: Jessica Lange is an American actress and singer who is best known for her roles in two of the greatest films of all time, King Kong and Blue Sky. She has also starred in Frances, Tootsie, and Grey Gardens.
- Jessica Jones: Jessica Jones is a fictional character created by Marvel Comics. She is a former superhero who now operates as a private investigator. Jones stars in her own television series on Netflix of the same name.
- Jess Glynne: Jess Glynne is an English singer and songwriter who rose to stardom in 2014 after her single "Hold My Hand" became a hit. She has since released a number of chart-topping singles such as "My Love," "Rather Be," and "Take Me Home."