Jennett History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Jennett is an ancient Anglo-Saxon name that is derived from the baptismal name John or Joan. The surname Jennett referred to the son of John or Joan which belongs to the category of patronymic or metronymic surnames. In Old English, patronyms and matronyms were formed by adding a variety of suffixes to personal names, which changed over time and from place to place. For example, after the Norman Conquest, sunu and sune, which meant son, were the most common patronymic suffixes. In the 12th and 13th centuries, the most common patronymic names included the word filius, which meant son. By the 14th century, the suffix son had replaced these earlier versions. Surnames that were formed with filius or son were more common in the north of England and it was here that the number of individuals without surnames was greatest at this time.

Early Origins of the Jennett family

The surname Jennett was first found in Yorkshire where Willelmus filius Jonet was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of 1297. A few years later, again in Yorkshire Jonot (surname only) was listed in 1308 and later again, Robert and Simon Janot were listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1327. 1

Early History of the Jennett family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Jennett research. Another 67 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1356, 1596, 1649, 1650, 1661 and 1678 are included under the topic Early Jennett History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Jennett Spelling Variations

Jennett has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Jennett have been found, including Jennet, Jennett, Jonnott, Jonnot, Jonnotson and others.

Early Notables of the Jennett family

Notables of the family at this time include William Jemmat (1596?-1678), English Puritan divine, born about 1596, and a "descendant of a well-to-do family settled at Reading, Berkshire, was, according to Wood, the son of a former mayor of the town. No Jemmat, however, appears as mayor...
Another 47 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Jennett Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Jennett migration to the United States +

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Jennetts to arrive on North American shores:

Jennett Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

John Jennett, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1682 2

Jennett Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Peter Jennett, who arrived in Maryland in 1776

Jennett Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Ebenezer W Jennett, who landed in Mobile, Ala in 1904 2

Jennett migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Jennett Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Richard Jennett, a printer, who arrived in New South Wales, Australia sometime between 1825 and 1832

Contemporary Notables of the name Jennett (post 1700) +

Norman Jennett (1877-1970), American political cartoonist, known for the comic feature 'The Monkey Shines of Marseleen'
Frederick Stuart Jennett, British corporate executive, and Professor William Bryan Jennett at the University of Glasgow

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)