The George surname can be traced back to early France, England, and Scotland. My George ancestors probably originated in either Scotland or England. The earliest use of the George surname in England is said to have appeared in Cambridgeshire about the year 1100. Surnames, as a rule, began being used during the mid to late 1200's. English surnames were generally taken from such things as localities or land features (such as Field, Marsh, or Hill), from occupations (such as Cooper, Plumber, or Brewer), from the names of flowers and animals (such as Rose or Sparrow), or from physical features (such as Stout, Beardsly or Long). The English George surname is derived from an occupation of the ancestor. The English surname means "farmer".
Early immigration records show numerous listing for the George surname. Immigrants from both France and England began arriving in America in the early 1600's. Among the earliest immigrants were Benjamin George who immigrated to Virginia in 1663; James George who immigrated to Massachusetts in 1653; John George who immigrated to Virginia in 1653; Richard George who immigrated to Virginia in 1650; and William George who immigrated to Massachusetts in 1637. Immigrants from Shetland and other areas of Scotland began arriving in the early 1700's.
My 4th great grandfather is believed to be John George, who was born prior to 1755. He had a least one son, Benjamin George, who was born about 1780, possibly in Virginia. It is believed that Benjamin George was my great-great-great grandfather. Benjamin married my great-great-great grandmother, Rachel (last name unknown), about 1801. Rachel was born about 1782, in Virginia, according to census records.
We are unsure when Benjamin moved his family to Tennessee. Benjamin appears on the 1820 Lincoln County, Tennessee, census. The census shows one male over 45, two males 16-25, one male 16-18, 2 males 10-15, one male under 10, one female 26-45, two females 10-15, and two females under 10.
The 1820 Lincoln County, Tennessee, census shows several other George families living in the same area. The James George family shows one male 26-45, four males under 10, one female 16-25, and one female under 10. The Jesse George family shows one male over 45, one male 16-25, three males 10-15, one female over 45, and one female 16-25. The John George family shows one male over 45, two males 16-25, one male 16-18, three males 10-15, one female 26-45, and one female under 10. The Presley George family shows one male over 45, one male 10-15, three males under 10, one female over 45, one female 26-45, one female 10-15, and two females under 10. The Richard George family shows one male over 45 and one female over 45. The Thomas George family shows one male 26-45, two males under 10, one female 16-25, two females 10-15, and one female under 10. The William George family shows one male over 45, one male 26-45, two males 10-15, two males under 10, one female over 45, and one female under 10. We believe all these George families were closely related.
Benjamin George moved to Arkansas soon after 1840. He settled in Izard County, Arkansas, prior to 1845, as he paid personal property taxes in Izard County in 1846. Benjamin died about 1849, in Izard County. Rachel appears on the 1850 Izard County census in Rocky Bayou Township. She was listed as 67 years old and a widow. Living with her is Newton George, age 17, born in Mississippi. Rachel may have died before 1860.
Census indicates that at least nine children may have been born to Benjamin and Rachel. We believe the following individuals were four of their children.
Children of Benjamin George and Rachel
1. Benjamin George, Jr., b. abt 1802; m. Sarah (last name unknown)
2. Richard Francis George, b. abt 1803
3. James Sevier George, b. abt 1804 (my line)
4. Andrew Jackson George, b. abt 1812 - 1821
I am not a professional genealogist and although I have researched much of the information found at this site, some of it was given to me by other researchers and may not have been documented. Each bit of information found here should be carefully researched and proved or disproved by you, the researcher. Researchers may copy information found at this site for their own personal use and to share with other researchers or genealogical organizations. Any commercial use or distribution without the written consent of this author is prohibited.
If you would like to be listed as a George researcher, or if you find errors or have additional information to contribute, please contact katherinemcclure52@yahoo.com
Others researching the George line:
Elveta
Guinn (James Sevier George line)
Elveta
Guinn's George Homepage
Dortha
Gamel (James Sevier George line)
Linda
Casey (Andrew Jackson George line)
Jennifer
George (descendant of Jonathan George of PA)