A jerkinhead roof is really a gable roof on which the peaks of the gable ends are clipped off with everything looks like a hip roof. The best thing about this style is that the clipping streamlines the peak of the gable roof, which can otherwise be tremendously stressed in close, thus reducing the possible wind damage.
Witt Construction
The gable ends of this roof are clipped, like a hip roof.
Allan Edwards Builder Inc
Roofs are known as clipped gables or snub gables.