Jackerman is an extremely rare last name, with only one occurrence per 2,147,483,647 people. Most people with this last name live in the United States. However, only two percent of Americans share the family name, sometimes called a surname. Moreover, in America, the name is predominantly found in Illinois and Ohio. Outside of America, data reveals the name is also found in Cuba and the United Kingdom.
Online genealogical data for this family name is scarce. While some family historians struggle with an overwhelming amount of family records to sift through online, people with unusual last names, like Jackerman, need help finding more information about the origins and meaning of their last names. We will examine what is available online and offer tips for researching the family history of less common last names.
The Origins and Meaning of Jackerman
When researching family history, especially for uncommon last names, consider alternate spellings of the name. Like many last names, Jackerman may be an offshoot of another family name. People during the Middle Ages spelled names phonetically, resulting in a variety of spellings. It is also possible that there are similar family names in other languages that share a common origin with this one. Known variations of this last name are Jakeman, Jakemon, and Jackman.
Moreover, historical records indicate that the name Jackerman has a connection to the surname Jackaman. The latter name has its roots in the Old French words “Jaquemin” and “Jacquemon,” which were pet names used for individuals named James. Furthermore, the last name Jackman surfaced in England after the Norman Conquest and was a moniker for domestic servants, which meant “man of Jack.” Jackerman may also have roots in this occupational name.
In the 19th century, there were a number of people named Jackaman living in the United Kingdom. In 1891, in Suffolk, England, there were 113 families with this last name. Records report that most people named Jackerman were living in England in 1891, too. This indicates a possible connection between the two family names. In 1880, Jackerman was recorded in the United States census for the first time.
Online Data About the Jackerman Family Name
Exploring the records on the Ancestry website is one way to determine the prevalence of a family name. While some last names have millions of records, Jackerman only has 793 records. After gathering data from family members, research birth and death records, marriage and divorce records, and immigration records to uncover more about your family history.
Census records are especially helpful because they contain the names and ages of everyone in a household. They also note the occupations, ages, and sometimes even the immigration dates of family members. From the 1940 census, we know that the top job for people named Jackerman was a merchant.
Unfortunately, much of the historical documents on Ancestry are behind a paywall. However, spending the money for a subscription might be helpful because there is little information about the Jackerman surname on free genealogy websites. If you do have detailed information about this family name, consider sharing it online to help other researchers. One of the best things about online genealogy is the opportunity to connect with other researchers and compare notes.
Fun Facts About the Jackerman Family Name
- The most common first names for girls with this last name are Mary, Sarah, and Alice. For boys, the most common names are Robert, Henry, and John.
- Many of the military records for Jackerman are from the United Kingdom and the United States. Based on online data, it appears many Jackermans served in World War I.
- Immigration lists show that people named Jackerman moved to Canada, Australia, and the United States.
- According to Geneanet, people named Jackerman married people with the last names Crisp, White, Carter, and Fuller.
- The 1840 US census reveals that Jackerman family members lived in South Carolina and Illinois.
- Jakerman, a similar name, only appears in Welsh historical records.
- Jackerman occasionally appears as a first name.
Final Thoughts
The name Jackerman is relatively uncommon, and there is a limited amount of genealogical information available about it online. Misspelling names in official records can often create uncommon last names. DNA records may eventually reveal more about this last name. Digitized records are not always available online, so finding information on a name like Jackerman may require more traditional research methods. Explore libraries, talk to historians, and check out church registries. You may be the first to uncover this family name's vibrant history.
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