Are you looking for a comprehensive list of last names beginning with “J”? We have over three hundred for you.
We also have the origins and meanings of the top ten most surnames staring with J. We also have a list of famous people with a J name.
Most Common Last Names Starting With J
Here are the origins and meaning of the top ten most common J surnames based on the 2010 U.S. census.
The origins and early history of these names are usually well understood.
However, the meanings are sometimes less clear. We’ve compiled the the meanings that are generally agreed upon among researchers.
Johnson
Johnson was the second most common name in the United States in 2010. Only Smith ranked above it.
- Bearers: 1.9 million
- Origins: English & Scottish
- Meaning: Family of son of John
Jones
Jones was the fifth most common name in the U.S. in the 2010 census.
- Bearers: 1.4 million
- Origins: English and Welsh
- Meaning: family of John
Jackson
Jackson was the nineteenth most common name in 2010.
- Bearers: 708 thousand
- Origins: English and Scottish
- Meaning: family of Jack
James
- Bearers: 249 thousand
- Origins: English
- Meaning: derived from Jacob
Jimenez
Jiminez ranked exactly hundredth out of all surnames in America.
- Bearers: 227 thousand
- Origins: Spanish
- Meaning: derived from Jimeno
Jenkins
- Bearers: 223 thousand
- Origins: English
- Meaning: little John
Jordan
- Bearers: 208 thousand
- Origins: Jewish
- Meaning: refers to the river Jordan
Johnston
- Bearers: 131 thousand
- Origins: English and Scottish
- Meaning: family of John
Jacobs
- Bearers: 208 thousand
- Origins: Jewish
- Meaning: family of Jacob
Jensen
- Bearers: 208 thousand
- Origins: Danish
- Meaning: derived from Johannes (John)
What about uncommon names?
We have a separate article on the rarest last names starting with J.
Famous People With A Last Name That Starts With J
If your name starts with J, you’re in good company!
Here are some actors, actresses, singers, politicians, and astronomers with a J name.
| Family Name (J) | Famous People |
| Johnson | Dwayne Johnson (actor) |
| Jones | Catherine Zeta-Jones (actress) |
| Jackson | Samuel L Jackson (actor) |
| James | Etta James (singer) |
| Jimenez | Juan Roman Jiminez (poet) |
| Jenkins | Billy Jenkins (football) |
| Jordan | Michael B. Jordan (actor) |
| Juarez | Axel Juarez (soccer) |
| Jefferson | Thomas Jefferson (President) |
| Jarvis | Ann Jarvis (founder of Mother’s Day) |
| Joyce | James Joyce (writer) |
| Family Name (J) | Famous People |
| John | Elton John (singer) |
| Joyner | Al Joyner (athlete) |
| Jung | Carl Jung (psychologist) |
| Jeffries | John Jeffries (scientist) |
| Jean | Wyclef Jean (rapper) |
| Judd | Wynonna Judd (singer) |
| Joiner | Charlie Joiner (football) |
| Joy | Alfred Harrison Joy (astronomer) |
| Jasso | Jose Jasso (actor) |
| Jeter | Derek Jeter (baseball) |
| Jasper | Dick Jasper (racing driver) |
Last Names Starting With J
We’ve used the 2000 and 2010 U.S. Census to compile 304 surnames that start with the letter J and have at least one thousand bearers of the name.
In the tables below, you’ll see the total number of bearers for the name in each census.
We’ve broken the list into separate alphabetic sections to make it easier to use. We’ll give you the origins of an interesting name in each section.
Names from Jaber to Jacquez
As you scroll through this section, you’ll see that many are variations of Jack. Jackson is by far the most common name with far more bearers than the surname of Jack itself!
These little Jack Russells think there should be lots more…
| Last Names | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
| Jaber | 2,303 | 2,601 |
| Jablonski | 7,336 | 7,469 |
| Jacinto | 4,251 | 6,238 |
| Jack | 13,990 | 15,256 |
| Jackman | 7,140 | 7,738 |
| Jackowski | 1,374 | 1,422 |
| Jacks | 6,077 | 5,946 |
| Jackson | 666,125 | 708,099 |
| Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
| Jaber | 2,303 | 2,601 |
| Jablonski | 7,336 | 7,469 |
| Jacinto | 4,251 | 6,238 |
| Jack | 13,990 | 15,256 |
| Jackman | 7,140 | 7,738 |
| Jackowski | 1,374 | 1,422 |
| Jacks | 6,077 | 5,946 |
| Jackson | 666,125 | 708,099 |
| Jaco | 1,969 | 2,237 |
There are also plenty of variants of the name Jacob, which has differing origins depending on the region and community.
The Jewish origins come from the Hebrew name Ya’aqob. The meaning may come from the Hebrew word for a “heel”. Jacob in the bible was born holding his brother Esau’s heel.
The English origins are as a variant of James. The name is also found across Europe.
| Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
| Jacob | 21,354 | 24,688 |
| Jacobi | 3,443 | 3,563 |
| Jacobo | 7,566 | 11,590 |
| Jacobs | 115,540 | 118,614 |
| Jacobsen | 18,831 | 18,820 |
| Jacobson | 44,874 | 44,808 |
| Jacobus | 2,288 | 2,383 |
| Jacoby | 9,225 | 9,372 |
| Jacome | 1,597 | 2,313 |
| Jacques | 12,942 | 14,417 |
| Jacquet | 1,199 | 1,421 |
| Jacquez | 3,562 | 4,105 |
Last names from Jaeger to Jandreau
Jaeger is a name of Germanic origins. The meaning comes from the German word for a hunter.
| Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
| Jaeger | 12,298 | 12,436 |
| Jaffe | 6,029 | 5,865 |
| Jager | 3,445 | 4,356 |
| Jagger | 1,153 | 1,247 |
| Jaggers | 3,113 | 3,139 |
| Jagodzinski | 1,109 | 1,131 |
| Jahn | 4,770 | 4,850 |
| Jahnke | 4,051 | 4,035 |
| Jahns | 1,062 | 1,069 |
James is by far the most common name in this section, with about ten times more U.S. holders than the next most common.
There are also many variations of the name James here.
| Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
| Jaime | 10,151 | 13,532 |
| Jaimes | 10,661 | 17,573 |
| Jaimez | 1,132 | 1,142 |
| Jain | 5,996 | 11,626 |
| Jakes | 1,441 | 1,405 |
| Jakubowski | 3,554 | 3,513 |
| Jalbert | 2,155 | 2,306 |
| Jama | 1,227 | 2,907 |
| Jamal | 1,774 | 2,864 |
| Jamerson | 4,782 | 5,273 |
| James | 233,224 | 249,379 |
Janak is an example of a name that has multiple origins from different regions of the world. The name has a Czech origin as a derivation of John.
Another version is from ancient India. Janak appears in Hindu mythology as the father of the goddess Sita, and the Hindi meaning is “creator”.
| Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
| Jameson | 12,868 | 13,255 |
| Jamieson | 7,164 | 7,338 |
| Jamil | 1,238 | 1,484 |
| Jamison | 26,476 | 27,697 |
| Jan | 1,809 | 2,046 |
| Janak | 1,169 | 1,162 |
| Janda | 2,408 | 2,654 |
| Jandreau | 1,141 | 1,223 |
Names from Janacek to January
Many of the names in this section are variants of Jan (a form of John).
Janes can be a variant of Jayne, a name of English origins which comes from Jan.
| Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
| Janecek | 1,186 | 1,207 |
| Janes | 7,489 | 7,659 |
| Jang | 5,776 | 9,125 |
| Jani | 1,134 | 1,704 |
| Janicki | 1,964 | 1,940 |
| Janik | 3,017 | 3,265 |
| Janis | 3,814 | 4,233 |
| Janisch | 1,202 | 1,233 |
| Janiszewski | 1,192 | 1,159 |
| Janke | 4,062 | 3,977 |
| Jankowski | 9,060 | 8,970 |
Jansky has origins in one region as a diminutive of the Czech name Jan.
Jansky also has a Hebrew origin from the name Yohanan, which means “God has given me a son“.
| Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
| Janney | 2,373 | 2,466 |
| Janowski | 2,020 | 2,047 |
| Jansen | 16,036 | 16,596 |
| Jansky | 1,068 | 1,063 |
| Janson | 3,865 | 3,930 |
| Janssen | 10,720 | 11,423 |
| Jansson | 1,244 | 1,463 |
| Jantz | 2,906 | 3,005 |
| Jantzen | 1,557 | 1,590 |
| January | 2,347 | 2,538 |
Names from Janus to Jauregui
Janus and Janusz appear as two variants in this section and has an interesting meaning.
The name is of ancient Roman origin. Janus was the Roman god of gateways and is often shown looking both ways in paintings and statues.
You can see the depiction on this ancient Roman coin:
| Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
| Janus | 2,118 | 2,172 |
| Janusz | 1,115 | 1,117 |
| Janz | 1,252 | 1,171 |
| Janzen | 2,960 | 3,072 |
| Jaques | 3,067 | 3,224 |
| Jaquez | 5,934 | 8,281 |
| Jara | 6,359 | 8,790 |
| Jaramillo | 28,024 | 36,755 |
| Jarboe | 2,662 | 2,822 |
| Jardine | 3,667 | 3,973 |
| Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
| Jared | 1,728 | 2,075 |
| Jarman | 6,079 | 6,351 |
| Jarmon | 2,399 | 2,717 |
| Jarnagin | 1,934 | 2,077 |
| Jaros | 1,661 | 1,690 |
| Jarosz | 2,698 | 2,760 |
| Jarquin | 1,825 | 3,132 |
| Jarrard | 1,946 | 1,887 |
| Jarreau | 1,374 | 1,402 |
| Jarrell | 13,224 | 13,562 |
| Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
| Jarrett | 20,449 | 21,821 |
| Jarvi | 1,205 | 1,240 |
| Jarvis | 34,050 | 35,350 |
| Jasinski | 3,726 | 3,679 |
| Jasmin | 1,649 | 2,064 |
| Jason | 3,993 | 4,048 |
| Jasper | 9,125 | 9,632 |
| Jasso | 9,938 | 13,318 |
| Jauregui | 9,210 | 12,783 |
Names from Javier to Jedlicka
Jedlicka is an interesting name in this section.
The name is of Czech and Slovak origin. The meaning comes from the words for a small fir tree.
The early bearers could have been people living near a spruce wood. It may also have referred to people of a sturdy build.
| Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
| Javier | 6,594 | 9,226 |
| Jaworski | 4,909 | 4,865 |
| Jay | 9,771 | 9,852 |
| Jaycox | 1,175 | 1,152 |
| Jayne | 3,131 | 3,134 |
| Jaynes | 5,667 | 5,741 |
| Jean | 15,321 | 21,140 |
| Jeanbaptiste | 4,646 | 7,915 |
| Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
| Jeancharles | 1,040 | 1,681 |
| Jeanes | 1,068 | 1,295 |
| Jeanlouis | 3,124 | 4,891 |
| Jeanpierre | 2,584 | 3,990 |
| Jeans | 1,652 | 1,608 |
| Jeansonne | 1,261 | 1,339 |
| Jeanty | 1,232 | 1,870 |
| Jedlicka | 1,113 | 1,150 |
Names from Jeffcoat to Jellison
When you scan your eye down this section of the list, you’ll see many spelling variations of Jeffrey.
There are several theories for the origins of this name. The most prevalent theory is is of Germanic origin from the name Godfrey.
This gives it a religious meaning of “God’s peace”.
| Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
| Jeffcoat | 4,172 | 4,406 |
| Jefferies | 4,973 | 4,953 |
| Jefferis | 1,027 | 1,117 |
| Jeffers | 16,895 | 17,455 |
| Jefferson | 51,361 | 55,179 |
| Jeffery | 9,048 | 9,766 |
| Jeffords | 2,096 | 2,179 |
| Jeffrey | 10,925 | 11,085 |
| Jeffreys | 3,380 | 3,308 |
| Jeffries | 22,839 | 23,510 |
| Jeffs | 1,417 | 1,632 |
| Jelinek | 2,847 | 2,924 |
| Jelks | 1,912 | 2,093 |
| Jellison | 2,346 | 2,361 |
Names from Jemison to Jent
Jenkins had a whopping 222,653 bearers in the 2010 U.S. census and is one of the most common surnames in America.
It is of Welsh origin and is still very common in that region. It derives from “son of John”.
Jenner is an interesting name on this list, and it has some famous bearers. The origins in England are from the Middle English for “engineer”.
The early bearers would have been builders or makers of military equipment.
| Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
| Jemison | 3,608 | 3,797 |
| Jen | 1,258 | 1,371 |
| Jenkin | 1,383 | 1,219 |
| Jenkins | 213,737 | 222,653 |
| Jenkinson | 1,830 | 1,920 |
| Jenks | 7,138 | 7,396 |
| Jenne | 1,384 | 1,311 |
| Jenner | 2,467 | 2,574 |
| Jenness | 1,364 | 1,393 |
| Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
| Jennette | 1,643 | 1,844 |
| Jennings | 87,038 | 89,700 |
| Jenny | 1,453 | 1,432 |
| Jensen | 112,332 | 115,679 |
| Jenson | 7,532 | 7,956 |
| Jent | 1,619 | 1,630 |
| Jeon | 2,126 | 4,253 |
| Jeong | 2,826 | 5,404 |
| Jeppesen | 1,335 | 1,398 |
| Jeppson | 1,182 | 1,381 |
| Jepsen | 2,718 | 2,772 |
| Jepson | 3,003 | 3,157 |
Names from Jeremiah to Jesus
There are several variations of Jess or Jessie in this section. Depending on the region, the name will have different origins.
The Hebrew origins come from the word for “God’s gift”.
The English origins may come from the “jesses” that are leather straps wrapped around a falcon or hawk’s legs as it perches on a falconer’s wrist.
| Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
| Jeremiah | 1,244 | 1,579 |
| Jerez | 2,842 | 4,074 |
| Jerkins | 1,409 | 1,653 |
| Jerman | 1,207 | 1,196 |
| Jernigan | 15,298 | 15,889 |
| Jerome | 8,179 | 9,131 |
| Jeronimo | 1,205 | 2,641 |
| Jerrell | 1,014 | 1,006 |
| Jerry | 2,530 | 2,679 |
| Jervis | 1,448 | 1,572 |
| Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
| Jeske | 3,095 | 3,015 |
| Jespersen | 1,270 | 1,285 |
| Jess | 1,561 | 1,582 |
| Jesse | 3,723 | 3,855 |
| Jessee | 3,952 | 4,108 |
| Jessen | 4,276 | 4,553 |
| Jessie | 3,828 | 3,916 |
| Jessop | 2,810 | 3,965 |
| Jessup | 7,028 | 6,964 |
| Jester | 7,407 | 7,587 |
| Jesus | 1,765 | 2,033 |
Names from Jeter to Jobson
Jiminez is by far the most popular name in this section, and is roughly ten times more popular than the next most common name of Jewell.
Jewell is of Celtic origin and refers to a generous leader or nobleman.
| Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
| Jeter | 12,419 | 13,198 |
| Jett | 11,275 | 12,008 |
| Jette | 1,463 | 1,500 |
| Jetter | 1,213 | 1,045 |
| Jetton | 1,990 | 2,023 |
| Jew | 1,390 | 1,424 |
| Jewell | 23,143 | 23,187 |
| Jewett | 8,030 | 8,330 |
| Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
| Ji | 2,100 | 4,039 |
| Jiang | 8,582 | 19,409 |
| Jiles | 4,086 | 4,441 |
| Jim | 3,327 | 3,544 |
| Jimenes | 2,361 | 2,555 |
| Jimenez | 157,475 | 227,118 |
| Jimerson | 3,439 | 3,548 |
| Jiminez | 2,848 | 3,108 |
| Jimison | 1,136 | 1,282 |
| Jimmerson | 1,853 | 2,038 |
| Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
| Jin | 5,186 | 10,432 |
| Jinks | 2,694 | 2,665 |
| Jiron | 2,187 | 2,494 |
| Jo | 2,517 | 3,588 |
| Joachim | 2,037 | 2,395 |
| Joaquin | 2,592 | 3,559 |
| Job | 2,266 | 2,470 |
| Jobe | 7,977 | 8,536 |
| Jobes | 1,515 | 1,461 |
| Jobson | 1,071 | 1,152 |
Names from Jock to Jonas
There are many names that mean “son of John” on this list, including the very common surname of Johnson. Nearly two million people were named Johnson in the 2010 U.S. census.
Joiner is an interesting name that derives from an occupation. The English and French origins are from the word for a cabinet maker or the builder of wood furniture.
| Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
| Jock | 1,301 | 1,429 |
| Joe | 8,382 | 9,280 |
| Joel | 1,224 | 1,426 |
| Johannes | 3,378 | 3,455 |
| Johannsen | 2,482 | 2,604 |
| Johansen | 9,509 | 9,815 |
| Johanson | 5,028 | 5,061 |
| Johansson | 2,429 | 2,698 |
| John | 27,643 | 33,543 |
| Johns | 47,289 | 47,246 |
| Johnsen | 7,381 | 7,831 |
| Johnson | 1,857,160 | 1,932,812 |
| Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
| Johnston | 128,935 | 131,373 |
| Johnstone | 7,227 | 7,313 |
| Joiner | 15,595 | 16,349 |
| Joines | 2,097 | 2,131 |
| Jojola | 1,005 | 1,052 |
| Jolicoeur | 1,178 | 1,359 |
| Jolin | 1,263 | 1,405 |
| Jolley | 9,126 | 9,392 |
| Jolliff | 2,121 | 2,144 |
| Jolly | 15,166 | 15,827 |
| Joly | 1,305 | 1,434 |
| Jonas | 8,572 | 9,043 |
Names from Jones to Journey
Jones had nearly 1.5 million bearers in the 2010 U.S. census and is of Welsh origins.
Journey is another interesting name in this section. It doesn’t refer to travelers, as you might have thought.
One theory points to French origins from the word for a field that can be ploughed in a single day. The original families would have owned or worked on such a field.
Pick one from this picture!
| Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
| Jones | 1,362,755 | 1,425,470 |
| Jong | 1,062 | 1,126 |
| Jonson | 1,793 | 1,780 |
| Joo | 2,174 | 3,121 |
| Joos | 1,183 | 1,243 |
| Joplin | 2,019 | 2,107 |
| Jordahl | 1,217 | 1,023 |
| Jordan | 197,212 | 208,403 |
| Jorden | 1,804 | 1,939 |
| Jordon | 5,165 | 4,052 |
| Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
| Jorge | 4,855 | 6,236 |
| Jorgensen | 19,906 | 20,731 |
| Jorgenson | 7,150 | 7,551 |
| Jose | 7,389 | 10,697 |
| Joseph | 80,030 | 100,959 |
| Josephs | 1,992 | 2,168 |
| Josephson | 3,663 | 3,590 |
| Josey | 3,883 | 4,131 |
| Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
| Joshi | 5,478 | 10,089 |
| Joshua | 2,852 | 3,403 |
| Joslin | 6,803 | 6,868 |
| Joslyn | 2,532 | 2,581 |
| Jost | 3,972 | 4,104 |
| Joubert | 3,249 | 3,428 |
| Jourdan | 2,393 | 2,612 |
| Journey | 1,412 | 1,529 |
Names from Jovanovic to Juhasz
Joyner appears in this section, and we’ve already given the origins of the spelling variant of Joiner.
Juarez is by far the most common name here with over one hundred thousand bearers in the 2010 census.
The origins are Spanish and the meaning is derived from the word for a swineherd (a farmer of pigs).
| Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
| Jovanovic | 1,179 | 1,521 |
| Jovel | 1,483 | 2,275 |
| Jowers | 3,191 | 3,320 |
| Joy | 12,741 | 13,413 |
| Joya | 1,809 | 2,821 |
| Joyal | 1,655 | 1,614 |
| Joyce | 33,843 | 34,132 |
| Joye | 1,186 | 1,268 |
| Joyner | 28,216 | 29,884 |
| Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
| Joyner | 28,216 | 29,884 |
| Jozwiak | 2,095 | 2,023 |
| Ju | 1,701 | 2,502 |
| Juan | 4,811 | 7,350 |
| Juarez | 68,785 | 101,949 |
| Judah | 1,098 | 1,186 |
| Judd | 17,532 | 18,110 |
| Jude | 2,484 | 2,662 |
| Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
| Judge | 10,091 | 10,453 |
| Judice | 1,132 | 1,154 |
| Judkins | 5,294 | 5,442 |
| Judson | 4,253 | 4,422 |
| Judy | 6,736 | 6,962 |
| Jue | 1,318 | 1,393 |
| Juergens | 1,776 | 1,726 |
| Juhasz | 1,326 | 1,310 |
Names from Juhl to Justus
Justice is the most common name in this section. You will also see the variant of Justis and Justus.
It may be occupational in origin, and bestowed on those who led the early courts.
But the meaning can also come from the English or French words for one who is just or righteous. It could be bestowed on someone considered to be fair and upright.
| Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
| Juhl | 2,123 | 2,177 |
| Jules | 2,050 | 2,911 |
| Julian | 14,625 | 15,520 |
| Juliano | 4,612 | 4,735 |
| Julien | 4,399 | 5,535 |
| Julius | 3,403 | 3,628 |
| Jump | 3,907 | 3,999 |
| Jumper | 3,356 | 3,360 |
| Jun | 3,134 | 4,059 |
| June | 3,859 | 4,091 |
| Juneau | 2,709 | 2,887 |
| Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
| Jung | 17,395 | 24,026 |
| Junge | 1,512 | 1,483 |
| Junior | 1,986 | 2,146 |
| Junk | 1,179 | 1,120 |
| Junker | 2,579 | 2,733 |
| Junkin | 1,153 | 1,243 |
| Junkins | 1,671 | 1,651 |
| Jurado | 6,809 | 9,309 |
| Jurek | 2,111 | 2,370 |
| Jurgens | 3,173 | 3,235 |
| Jurgensen | 1,914 | 2,016 |
| Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
| Jury | 2,152 | 2,193 |
| Jusino | 1,488 | 1,798 |
| Just | 3,714 | 3,769 |
| Justice | 30,956 | 32,480 |
| Justin | 2,792 | 3,109 |
| Justiniano | 1,837 | 2,481 |
| Justis | 1,377 | 1,301 |
| Justo | 1,020 | 1,585 |
| Justus | 6,649 | 6,821 |
Looking For Inspiration For A Fictional Last Name?
Are you scanning these lists looking for a great name for a fictional character?
We compiled a list of less common names from the census that could be perfect for a hero, heroine, or villain.
Check out our list of the coolest last names starting with J. It’s a little tongue-in-cheek, but may help you with ideas.
Didn’t See A Surname That You Know?
If you didn’t find a name that you’re interested in, then use our surname ranking tool which doesn’t have the 1,000 threshold that we’ve imposed on this list.
It will show you where your last name ranks in the U.S. census. You can learn more in our tutorial on how to check how unusual your last name is.
