Show ContentsTennett Surname History

The name Tennett was carried to England in the enormous movement of people that followed the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Tennett family lived in Sussex. The family was originally from D'Anet, in Normandy, 1 which is now home to the Château d'Anet, a château near Dreux, built by Philibert de l'Orme from 1547 to 1552.

Early Origins of the Tennett family

The surname Tennett was first found in Sussex where they held a family seat from very early times. However, the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 record the first listings of the name: Alicia Denet in Bedfordshire; and Robert Dynot in Oxfordshire. 2 Regardless of this early roll, Sussex has traditionally held the greatest listings of the name through history.

Early History of the Tennett family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Tennett research. Another 103 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1545, 1559, 1566, 1593, 1600, 1601, 1612, 1620, 1645, 1655 and 1666 are included under the topic Early Tennett History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Tennett Spelling Variations

Endless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Dennette, Dennett, Denett, Dennet, Denet and others.

Early Notables of the Tennett family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Thomas Danett (fl. 1566-1601), English author of the following works:— 1. ‘The Description of the Low Countreys and of the Prouinces thereof, gathered into an Epitome out of the Historie of Lodouico Guicchardini,’ London, 1593, dedicated to Lord Burghley. 2. ‘A...
Another 49 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Tennett Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Tennett family

To escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Tennett or a variant listed above: John Dennett who settled in Maine in 1630; Samuel Dennett and his wife Susannah arrived in west New Jersey in 1664; Alexander Dennett arrived in Maine in 1630.



  1. The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)


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