Surname Jewhurst - Meaning and Origin
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Jewhurst: What does the surname Jewhurst mean?
The surname Jewhurst is believed to have originated from Old English. It is an occupational surname usually given to goldsmiths, as the 'jew' element is derived from 'jewel', referring to the craft of working with precious metals. The 'hurst' element is more common in place-names, and is derived from the Old English 'hyrst', meaning a wooded hill or wooded area.
The Jewhurst surname likely first appeared in historical records in the mid-13th century. At this time, this area of southeast England was known to be somewhat concentrated with goldsmiths, and this may have likely led to the coinage of this surname, as one of the most successful goldsmiths was known as ‘Jeu de Hurst’. As time passed, it gradually became known as Jewhurst.
The occupation of goldsmith was an esteemed and highly-specialised craft at this time, often associated with wealthy merchants. Goldsmiths were responsible for producing a variety of elaborate jewellery, coinage and ornamentation for the aristocracy. With time, those associated with the craft of goldsmithing began to proudly list their surname as Jewhurst, and the name flourished all over England as a testament to the skill associated with this craft.
Today, the surname Jewhurst is still relatively common among English speakers, and is even found in America. There are also many variations spelling variations, such as Jewers and Jewer. The last name can also be used as a marker of family heritage, as it is possible to trace one’s ancestry back to the mid-13th century goldsmiths who forged the first Jewhurst surname.
Order DNA origin analysisJewhurst: Where does the name Jewhurst come from?
The last name Jewhurst is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, particularly in Staffordshire, a county in the West Midlands. Ancestry records show that the first uses of the Jewhurst surname in the UK can be traced back to the mid-18th century. Staffordshire was home to a significant Jewish population in the 19th century, when the name Jewhurst began to become more prevalent. It is possible that this is where the name originated, although records are sparse in this regard.
In the 20th century, the Jewhurst name has spread throughout Britain, with smaller populations in Canada, the United States and even Australia. Jewhurst is still found in Staffordshire and the surrounding West Midlands area, with concentrations in places such as Birmingham, Walsall and Wolverhampton, as well as the town of Hednesford, where the Jewhurst family have lived for several hundred years.
Jewhurst is also found farther afield, particularly in South Africa, where the name has bounced around the country with various generations of the Jewhurst family since the late 1800s. The few people that bear the name in the US are largely descended from British and South African immigrants.
In spite of its historic presence in several countries, the last name Jewhurst is relatively uncommon, making up less than 0.25% of the population in any given area.
Variations of the surname Jewhurst
The surname Jewhurst is a surname derived from a topographical name for someone who lived near a small hill or mound. Jewhurst is a variant spelling of the name Jowett, which originated in the county of Yorkshire in northern England. It is believed to be derived from a personal name, Jow, which was a pet form of the name John, as well as the Middle English word “hyrst”, meaning “a hill”, or “a wooded hill”.
Variants of the surname Jewhurst include Jowett, Jowbrate, Jowetter, Jillhurst, Jewbrett, Jewbury, Jeworth, Juertey, Juward, Juwaitt, Juwatt, and Juwhurst. Spellings of the name can also include Jaubert, Jauvrette, Jowety, and Juworthe.
Surnames related to Jewhurst include Jowitt, Joynt, Jouett, Juriett, Jourette, Journet, Jordy, Juett, Joet, Juvertis, Juventud, and Jouve. All of these surnames originate from the same Anglo-Saxon root.
Jewhurst is an uncommon surname; however, some areas have a strong ethnic presence of the surname. In the United States, the surname is most commonly found in the northeast region, particularly in New England. It is also prevalent in Canada, with many bearing the surname settling in Ontario and Quebec.
Famous people with the name Jewhurst
- Tim Jewhurst: English cricketer who played first-class cricket for Derbyshire in 1957
- John Jewhurst: English politician who unsuccessfully contested Birmingham Ladywood at the 2005 and 2010 General Elections
- Harriet Jewhurst: English cyclist and mountain climber who broke the women's record for riding the Pennine Way in 2016
- Paul Jewhurst: British illustrator and storyboard artist who has worked for ITV, BBC and Sky
- Keith Jewhurst: British composer best known for his film and TV scores
- Alan Jewhurst: English footballer who made appearances for Brighton & Hove Albion in the 1970s
- Christopher Jewhurst: English sculptor who has exhibited work at the Saatchi Gallery and Victoria and Albert Museum
- Ruth Jewhurst: British artist and art director best known for her work with children's books
- Timothy Jewhurst: British writer and editor specialising in science and technology
- Kate Jewhurst: English violist who has been a member of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra since 1995