Jersey possesses a fascinating and complex history stretching back over a thousand years. From the parapets of Mont Orgueil Castle to the gentle sweep of the bay beyond, it’s hard to imagine a more peaceful and tranquil island. Yet Jersey’s landscape and the character of its people are forged by centuries of battles, exploration, struggle and reinvention – leaving behind a unique legacy of history, culture and heritage.
Discover your story...
Your ancestors might well have been a part of this unique legacy and a visit to the island to discover more about your Jersey roots might lead to some fascinating discoveries. Jersey Heritage have been working hard to place many key records online to allow you to discover more about your ancestors before your visit to see the places in which they lived and worked.
Discover your story from The Jersey Heritage archives and collections, Ancestry.co.uk or Jersey Archive.
Jersey's most popular names.
You don’t have to scratch too far beneath the surface to experience Jersey’s rich history. Our ancestors have shaped our islands culture, values and everyday lives. Find out more about what’s behind some of Jersey’s most popular names…
Le Feuvre.
This is a very common name all over France – like Smith in England. There are various spellings of the name including Le Fevre, Le Febvre and Le Feyvre. In Jersey the name is mentioned in official documents from the 13th century. In the 20th century the name was concentrated in the western parishes of St. Ouen, St. Peter and St. Brelade.
Nicolle.
There is evidence of it being used as a surname in Jersey in the Rolls of the Assizes from 1309 and there have been various spellings of it including, Nicoll, Nichole and Nicole. The 1851 and 1861 censuses record many branches of this family living in the parishes of Trinity and St. Lawrence.
Le Sueur.
It is believed to be a very old name from Normandy in France, with the earliest records of the name in Jersey dating from the Rolls of the Assizes in 1309. Earlier versions of the name include Le Suour, Le Suor and Le Sour. Census records show family branches living predominantly in the parishes of St. Helier and Trinity in the mid-19th century.
Blampied.
The name is first recorded in the Extentes de L’Ile de Jersey in 1528, where it is written as Blampy and Blampey. The 1851 and 1861 censuses show a large concentration of people with this surname living in the parish of Trinity.
Le Boutillier.
Le Boutillier was first recorded as a surname in Jersey in the 13th and 14th centuries, with various spellings such as Le Botillier, Boutelier and Boutillier. Branches of this family appear to have resided mainly in the parishes of Trinity, Grouville, and St. Ouen.
Family History is a journey through our past using archive records to meet the ancestors who have shaped not just our features but also our personalities, values and everyday lives. Learning more about our forbearers or the place we wish to visit allows us to make a real connection to the past and sometimes understand more about our present circumstances.
