Zero For JONES

A series of volumes indexing and listing the holdings of the public records office in England can be found. [Great Britain Public Records Office, List and Indexes, New York, Kraus Reprint Corporation, 1966.]  The lists and indexes were abstracted for the surname JONES as part of my tree climbing experiences.  They have served as the documents pertaining to the dates and distribution of the JONES surname in England and Wales given in the posts surrounding this discussion. 

From 1327 to 1714 there are four counties in England that have ZERO with the surname JONES!  These are shown below.

Derby, Durham, Nottingham, and the Isle of Wight are these counties.  Over the years I have suspected that the first three (northern counties) situations are due to the impact of Danish occupation, and "Dane Law".  The Saxons and Danes spent a lot of time struggling to control the legal activities of these counties.  I do not have a good rational for the Isle of Wight.   Not sure why there are no JONES in the legal system, but they must have been of good behavior...:-).  There certainly must be other factors that have a role in this phenomena since every other county in Albion has a JONES from early days.  Is there anyone out there who might have some ideas regarding this? 

The following are the references explored:

1)  Index of Ancient Petitions.  Generally before Edward III (1327 - 1377)
2)  Calender of Close Rolls: AD 1381 - 1499
3)  Calendars of the Close Rolls: From the reign of Edward I - to Edward IV (1272 - 1483)
4)  List of Early Chancery Proceedings, Vol. IV, for dates 1500 - 1515.
5)  List of Early Chancery Proceedings, Vol. V, 1515 - 1529.
6)  List of Early Chancery 1530 - 1538
7)  List of Early Chancery Proceedings, Vol. VIII, 1538 - 1544.
8)  List of Early Chancery Proceedings, Vol. IX, 1544 - 1553.
9)  List of Early Chancery Proceedings, Vol. X , 1553 - 1558.
10)Index of Chancery Proceedings (Series II), Vol. I, 1558 - 1579.
11)Index of Chancery Proceedings ,...for years 1579 - 1600..given as Vol. XXIV
12)Proceedings in the Court of Requests, Vol. 4, James I (1603 - 1625)
13)Index of Chancery Proceedings (Series II), Vol. III, 1621 - 1660
14)Public Record Office, London: Chancery Proceedings, Bridge's Division, 1613 - 1714, Vol. IV.

If anyone has found the JONES surname in these counties before 1714, please post.

First JONES Surname In Wales By County

The following table summarizes the last series of posts discussing the first to have the JONES surname in Welsh counties between 1500 - 1560.  It puts together (by date) those who first appear in the English legal records of the day.  The name of the Welsh county is given first, followed by the year that a individual with the surname JONES appears in that county.  This is followed by the name of the individual as recorded in the legal records.   The date of the post which discusses this county, and gives the documentation of each individual presented is shown. 

Anglesey is the only Welsh county during this period that did not have an individual appear with the JONES surname.  Glamorgan is only Welsh county to have a JONES surname appear before the Act of Union 1536.  There are a variety of first names with only "William" occurring twice.  This figure will provide at least a starting date and location for the genealogist seeking the origin of the JONES surname in Wales.

The Jones Surname Museum

A museum dedicated to a single surname...the surname JONES.  Who would have guessed that some 12 years ago an idea floating around in ones head would become the only one in the world.  As far as I have been able to determine, it is the only museum that gives the history, origin, and details about a single surname,  the JONES surname. [Please let me know if anyone has information otherwise.]

The picture below shows one segment of the museum as it tells the story of the JONES surname beginning with Roman Britain 40 BC.  Can you believe it?  Beginning with the first writers  who recorded facts about the tribal groups which occupied the land that was to become the home of my JONES DNA, the story is told.   The story continues through 12 panels that give a chronology as follows:

  Roman Britain 40 BC - 400 AD
  The "Britons" 400 AD - 600 AD
  Early Wales 600 AD - 800 AD
  Wales of the Princes 800 AD - 1000 AD
  Age of Conquest 1000 AD - 1100 AD
  Age of the Marches 1100 AD - 1200 AD
  Age of Annexation 1200 AD - 1300 AD
  Age of Towns, Trade, Taxes, and Tragedy 1300 AD - 1400 AD
  The Final Rebellion 1400 AD - 1500 AD
  Act of Union 1500 AD - 1600 AD
  The final Twist
  House of Tudor Trevor 850 AD to present
 
The museum is located at The Golden Lion Bed & Breakfast, Danville, KY.  It is open to the public most afternoons if arrangements are made by phone 859-583-1895.  Come and walk through the history of the JONES surname.