This interesting surname with variant spellings Jago, Jagoe, Jeggo, Lago, etc. derives from the Welsh "lago", Cornish "Jago" meaning "James". The personal name is recorded as Jago filius Ytel (1185) in "The Pipe Rolls of Herefordshire". The surname dates back to the early 13th Century, (see below). Further recordings include one Thomas Jagoo (1524) "The Subsidy Rolls of Suffolk". Church recordings include one Jellion, daughter of John and Jane Jago, who was christened on May 29th 1568 at St. Sampson or Golant, Cornwall, John, son of John Jagoe, who was christened on April 3rd 1571 also at St. Sampson or Golant, and John Jago married Margaret Griffen on March 29th 1608 in Kensington. A Coat of Arms was granted to a Jago family which consists of a gold shield with a black chevron between three crosses crosslet. The chevron signifies protection and has often been granted in arms as a reward to one who has achieved some notable enterprise. It has sometimes been given to those who have built churches or fortresses, or who have accomplished some work of Faithful Service. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of William Jeago, witness, which was dated 1221, in the "Assize Court Rolls of Shropshire", during the reign of King Henry 111, known as "The Frenchman", 1216 - 1272. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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