January History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsEarly Origins of the January familyThe surname January was first found in Kent, where Gilbert Genewy was listed in the Feet of Fines for 1218-1219. Years later, with other early spellings, we found Peter de Geneva 1249, de Geneweye in the Feet of Fines for Herefordshire in 1251. 1 The name was likely a nickname for someone from Genoa. "The Genoese traded much with England, both in silks and spices." 2 3 "As late as the 16th cent. a native of Genoa was called in England a Jan(e)way." 4 Early History of the January familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our January research. Another 79 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1562, 1576, 1628, 1633, 1636, 1638, 1657, 1670, 1674, 1715, 1717 and 1787 are included under the topic Early January History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. January Spelling VariationsUntil the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of January include Genewy, Genway, Gannaway, Jennaway, Janaway, January, Jennery, Jeneway, Janoway, Janeway, Janaway and many more. Early Notables of the January familyDistinguished members of the family include James Janeway (1636-1674), a Puritan minister and children's author, second in popularity only to John Bunyan. He was the fourth son of William Janeway, and younger brother of John Janeway [q. v.], was born about the end of 1636 at... January RankingIn the United States, the name January is the 11,519th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 5 However, in South Africa, the name January is ranked the 814th most popular surname with an estimated 8,496 people with that name. 6
Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The January were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: January Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
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