Show ContentsJennix History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Jennix was spawned by the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture that ruled a majority of Britain. It comes from the baptismal name John or Joan. The surname Jennix 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 Jennix family

The surname Jennix 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 Jennix family

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

Jennix Spelling Variations

Jennix 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 Jennix have been found, including Jennet, Jennett, Jonnott, Jonnot, Jonnotson and others.

Early Notables of the Jennix 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 Jennix Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Jennix family

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 Jennixs to arrive on North American shores: John Jennet settled in Pennsylvania in 1682; Peter Jennett arrived in Maryland in 1776.



  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)


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