HerschelGerman, Jewish Diminutive form of Hirsch 1 or Hirsch 2. A famous bearer was the British-German astronomer William Herschel (1738-1822), as well as his sister Caroline Herschel (1750-1848) and son John Herschel (1792-1871), also noted scientists.
HobbesEnglish Derived from the medieval given name Hob. A famous bearer of this name was British political philosopher Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679), the author of Leviathan.
JacksonEnglish Means "son of Jack". Famous bearers of this name include the American president Andrew Jackson (1767-1845) and the singer Michael Jackson (1958-2009).
JanvierFrench Either from the given name Janvier or the French word janvier meaning "January", perhaps indicating a person who was baptized in that month.
Jeanes 1English Derived from the given name Jan, a medieval English form of John.
JeffersEnglish Patronymic from the given name Jeffrey. A famous bearer was poet Robinson Jeffers (1887-1962).
JeffersonEnglish Means "son of Jeffrey". A famous bearer was American president Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826). Since his surname was sometimes adopted by freed slaves, it is now more common among the African-American population.
JekyllEnglish Derived from the Breton given name Judicaël. This name was used by Robert Louis Stevenson for the character of Dr Henry Jekyll in the book Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (1886).
JenkinsEnglish From the given name Jenkin, a diminutive of Jen, itself a Middle English form of John.
JenningsEnglish From the given name Jenyn, a diminutive of Jen, itself a Middle English form of John.
JeromeEnglish Derived from the given name Jerome. A famous bearer of this surname was the American-born Jennie Jerome (1854-1921), Lady Randolph Churchill, mother of Winston Churchill.