Maynard History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

Maynard is an ancient name whose history on English soil dates back to the wave of emigration that followed the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. The name comes from the Germanic personal name Mainard, which is composed of the elements magin, which means strength, and hard, which means hardy, brave or strong. 1

Two sources note entries in the Domesday Book of 1086. 2 The first notes that " 'Mainardus homo Rogeri Pictavensis,' is mentioned in the Domesday as an under-tenant in Essex and Lincolnshire; and either he or another of the name held Wilts, Hants, and Norfolk, before the Conquest. The early notices of the name are scanty. 'In the hydarium of Henry III. Maynard was certified to hold one hide and half in 'Cherleton' (Charlton), but as the paramountcy of the estate is withheld, no clue is furnished for tracing it to the Domesday lord." 3

The second notes Meinardus uigil in Norfolk in the Domesday Book. 4 Presumably both entries are related but translations from ancient Latin to English are not consistent.

Early Origins of the Maynard family

The surname Maynard was first found in Suffolk at Hoxne, a parish, and the head of a union, in the hundred of Hoxne. "Hoxne Hall, for many generations the residence of the Maynard family. In the north aisle [of the church] is a monument, with a group of figures finely sculptured in marble, to the memory of Sir Thomas Maynard, erected in 1742, by Christopher Stanley, Esq. A school, now in union with the National Society, was founded and endowed by Lord Maynard." 5

"The pedigree of the Viscounts Maynard commences in the 14th century with John Mainard of Axminster in Devonshire, who served in France under the Black Prince, and was appointed Constable of Brest in 1352. Sixth in descent from him we find another John Maynard, sitting in Queen Mary's first Parliament as Burgess for St. Albans, and numbered among thirty-nine stout Protestants who were indicted in the King's Bench for absenting themselves from the House rather than join in accepting the Pope's authority in the realm." 3

Early record were also found in Scotland. "Bishop Robert was about to set the municipal machinery of St. Andrews in motion (c. 1144) he obtained from the king the services of Mainard, a burgess of Berwick: 'Be it known that with the licence of David our king, I have constituted St. Andrews a burgh and that with the king's consent I have made Mainard the Fleming (Matnardum Flandrensem) provost of this burgh'. Robert Mainard was one of the witnesses to a charter by John de Dundemor to the Priory of May in 1260." 6

Early History of the Maynard family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Maynard research. Another 98 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1180, 1577, 1589, 1602, 1611, 1614, 1623, 1635, 1638, 1640, 1641, 1642, 1647, 1653, 1657, 1660, 1662, 1663, 1679, 1684, 1685, 1690, 1699, 1718, 1739, 1740, 1751, 1763, 1769 and 1775 are included under the topic Early Maynard History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Maynard Spelling Variations

Multitudes of spelling variations are a hallmark of Anglo Norman names. Most of these names evolved in the 11th and 12th century, in the time after the Normans introduced their own Norman French language into a country where Old and Middle English had no spelling rules and the languages of the court were French and Latin. To make matters worse, medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, so names frequently appeared differently in the various documents in which they were recorded. The name was spelled Maynard, Mainard and others.

Early Notables of the Maynard family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

William Maynard, 1st Baron Maynard (c.1589-1640), an English politician, Lord Lieutenant of Essex (1635-1640), Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire (1640) and Custos Rotulorum of Essex in 1640
William Maynard, 2nd Baron Maynard (1623-1699)
Banastre Maynard, 3rd Baron Maynard (c 1642-1718), an English politician, Member of Parliament for Essex (1663-1679)
Sir William Maynard, 1st Baronet (1641-1685), an English politician, Member of Parliament for Essex (1685)
John Maynard (1577-1614?), English lutenist and composer is best remembered for his "XII Wonders of the World" (1611)
Sir John Maynard KS (1602-1690), an English lawyer and politician
John Maynard (1638-1662), an English lawyer and politician who sat in the House of Commons in 1660

Maynard World Ranking

In the United States, the name Maynard is the 657^th most popular surname with an estimated 44,766 people with that name. 7 However, in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Maynard is ranked the 788^th most popular surname with an estimated 52 people with that name. 8 And in Australia, the name Maynard is the 992^nd popular surname with an estimated 4,005 people with that name. 9 The United Kingdom ranks Maynard as 970^th with 7,180 people. 10

Migration of the Maynard family to Ireland

Some of the Maynard family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Maynard migration to the United States +

Because of this political and religious unrest within English society, many people decided to immigrate to the colonies. Families left for Ireland, North America, and Australia in enormous numbers, traveling at high cost in extremely inhospitable conditions. The New World in particular was a desirable destination, but the long voyage caused many to arrive sick and starving. Those who made it, though, were welcomed by opportunities far greater than they had known at home in England. Many of these families went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Maynard or a variant listed above:

Maynard Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

John Maynard, who landed in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1634 11
Eliz Maynard, aged 22, who arrived in Virginia aboard the ship "Primrose" in 1635 12
Charles Maynard, who arrived in Maryland in 1650 11
Tobias Maynard, who landed in Virginia in 1656 11
Kingsmill Maynard, who settled in Virginia in 1663
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Maynard Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Frederick Maynard, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1759 11

Maynard Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Richard Maynard, who landed in Charleston, South Carolina in 1820 11
Gabriel Maynard, who arrived in Charleston, South Carolina in 1826 11
Mr. Richard Maynard, (b. 1812), aged 25, Cornish miner departing from Falmouth aboard the ship "Royal Adelaide" arriving in the United States on 8th May 1837 13
Thomas Maynard, aged 29, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1847 11
Mr. William Maynard, (b. 1826), aged 22, Cornish settler departing from Penzance aboard the ship "Cornwall" arriving in the United States on 18th October 1848 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Maynard Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Mr. John Maynard, (b. 1879), aged 26, Cornish miner, from Newlyn, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "New York" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 9th April 1905 en route to Iron Mountain, Michigan, USA 14
Mr. John Charles Maynard, (b. 1902), aged 3, Cornish settler, from Newlyn, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Cedric" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 7th October 1905 en route to Iron Mountain, Michigan, USA 14
Mrs. Laura Maynard, (b. 1880), aged 25, Cornish settler, from Newlyn, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Cedric" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 7th October 1905 en route to Iron Mountain, Michigan, USA 14
Miss Francis Maynard, (b. 1904), aged 1, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Cedric" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 7th October 1905 en route to Iron Mountain, Michigan, USA 14

Maynard migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Maynard Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century

Jacques Maynard, aged 45, who arrived in Canada in 1642

Maynard migration to Australia +

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

Maynard Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. John Maynard, English convict who was convicted in Somerset, England for 14 years for burglary, transported aboard the "Dromedary" on 11th September 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 15
Mr. Thomas Maynard, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life, transported aboard the "Claudine" on 19th August 1829, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
Mr. William Maynard, English convict who was convicted in Oxford, Oxfordshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Enchantress"on 6th April 1833, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 17
Mr. William Maynard, English convict who was convicted in Hertfordshire, England for 15 years, transported aboard the "Earl Grey" on 27th July 1838, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 18
John Maynard, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Lalla Rookh" in 1840 19
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Maynard migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Maynard Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

William Maynard, aged 26, a labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Oliver Lang" in 1856
Mr. T. Maynard, British settler travelling from Plymouth aboard the ship "Joseph Fletcher" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 19th March 1858 20
Mr. W. Maynard, British settler travelling from Plymouth aboard the ship "Joseph Fletcher" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 19th March 1858 20
Mrs. Maynard, British settler travelling from Plymouth aboard the ship "Joseph Fletcher" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 19th March 1858 20
F. Maynard, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Asterope" in 1865
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Maynard migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 21

Maynard Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Nicholas Maynard settled with his wife and five children and servants in Barbados in 1680
James Maynard was banished from the west of England to Barbados in 1685

Contemporary Notables of the name Maynard (post 1700) +

Donald Rogers "Don" Maynard (1935-2022), American professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) with the New York Giants and St. Louis Cardinals; the American Football League (AFL) with the New York Jets; and the World Football League (WFL) with the Shreveport Steamer, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and included on the AFL All-Time Team
Brigadier-General John Blackwell Maynard (1887-1945), American Commandant of Anti-Aircraft Replacement Training Center Fort Eustis (1943-1944) 22
David Swinson Maynard (1808-1873), American pioneer, one of Seattle's founding fathers
Robert Clyve Maynard (1937-1993), American journalist, newspaper publisher, and editor
Ken Maynard (1895-1973), American motion picture stuntman and actor
Horace Maynard (1814-1882), American educator, attorney, politician and diplomat
Bradley Gray Maynard (b. 1979), American amateur wrestler and mixed martial artist
Edward Maynard (1813-1891), American firearms inventor, most famous for his breechloading rifle design
Michael Maynard (1937-2023), British sailor who competed in the Finn event at the 1968 Summer Olympics
Miss Michelle Ann Maynard R.V.M., British Groom for The Duke of Edinburgh's Driving Team, was appointed the Royal Victorian Medal Silver on 8th June 2018 23
... (Another 4 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Maynard family +

Air New Zealand Flight 901

Mrs. Olive Mytle Maynard (1925-1979), New Zealander passenger, from Thames, North Island, New Zealand aboard the Air New Zealand Flight 901 for an Antarctic sightseeing flight when it flew into Mount Erebus; she died in the crash 24
Mr. William George Thames Maynard (1921-1979), New Zealander passenger, from Thames, North Island, New Zealand aboard the Air New Zealand Flight 901 for an Antarctic sightseeing flight when it flew into Mount Erebus; he died in the crash 24

HMAS Sydney II

Mr. Thomas Francis Maynard (1899-1941), Australian Paymaster Commander (S) from Lethbridge, Victoria, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 25

RMS Titanic

Mr. Isaac Hiram Maynard, aged 31, English Entre Cook from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and survived the sinking by escaping in collapsible B 26

The Maynard Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Manus justa nardus
Motto Translation: A just hand is a precious ointment.

Citations +

Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 2 of 3
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
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)
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to New York 1820 - 1891 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_new_york_1820_1891.pdf
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/dromedary
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 18th February 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/claudine
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 20th April 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/enchantress
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 17th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-grey
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) LALA ROOKH 1840. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1840LallaRookh.htm
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2013, February 12) John Maynard. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Maynard/John_Blackwell/USA.html
"Birthday and New Year Honours Lists (1940 to 2019)." Issue 62507, 28 December 2018 | London Gazette, The Gazette, Dec. 2018, www.thegazette.co.uk/honours-lists
Mount Erebus, Memorial, Roll of Remembrance (Retrieved 2018, February 21st). Retrieved from http://www.erebus.co.nz/memorialandawards/rollofremembrance.aspx
HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html