Show ContentsManis History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

There are many Irish surnames being used today in forms that are quite different than their original, ancient forms. Manis originally appeared in Gaelic as Mac Maghnuis, which means son of Manus. The personal name Manus, imported into Ireland by the Norse, is ultimately derived from the Latin forename Magnus.

Early Origins of the Manis family

The surname Manis was first found in County Roscommon (Irish: Ros Comáin) located in central Ireland in the province of Connacht, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the Manis family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Manis research. Another 87 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1172 and 1181 are included under the topic Early Manis History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Manis Spelling Variations

A name was often recorded during the Middle Ages under several different spelling variations during the life of its bearer because literacy was rare there was no real push to clearly define any of the languages found in the British Isles at that time. Variations found of the name Manis include MacManus, MacManners, McManus, Manus and others.

Early Notables of the Manis family

More information is included under the topic Early Manis Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Manis Ranking

In the United States, the name Manis is the 7,959th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1


United States Manis migration to the United States +

Ireland became inhospitable for many native Irish families in the 19th centuries. Poverty, lack of opportunities, high rents, and discrimination forced thousands to leave the island for North America. The largest exodus of Irish settlers occurred with the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. For these immigrants the journey to British North America and the United States was long and dangerous and many did not live to see the shores of those new lands. Those who did make it were essential to the development of what would become two of the wealthiest and most powerful nations of the world. These Irish immigrants were not only important for peopling the new settlements and cities, they also provided the manpower needed for the many industrial and agricultural projects so essential to these growing nations. Immigration and passenger lists have documented the arrival of various people bearing the name Manis to North America:

Manis Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Annie Manis, aged 18, who immigrated to the United States, in 1895
  • John Manis, aged 23, who landed in America, in 1895
  • Julia Manis, aged 23, who landed in America, in 1895
  • William Manis, aged 23, who immigrated to the United States, in 1895
Manis Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Marthe Manis, aged 25, who settled in America from London, in 1904
  • Samuel Manis, aged 22, who immigrated to the United States from London, in 1905
  • Meier Manis, aged 23, who landed in America from London, England, in 1907
  • John W. Manis, aged 39, who immigrated to the United States, in 1914
  • Emma Manis, aged 55, who landed in America, in 1914
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Manis (post 1700) +

  • Andrew Michael Manis (b. 1954), American historian, professor at Macon State College, Macon, Georgia
  • Brian Manis, American producer
  • David Manis (b. 1959), American actor
  • Chad Manis, American college football quarterback at the University of Utah


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/


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