Ventris History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland

The distinguished surname Ventris is derived from the Middle English word "aventurous," meaning "the venturous." [1]

Another source "suggests La Ventrouse in the arrondissement of Montagne, Normandy, as the home of the family." [2]

Following the Norman theme, we found Ralph Ventras, or Vintras, Normandy 1180-95 in the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae. [3]

Early Origins of the Ventris family

The surname Ventris was first found in Huntingdonshire where William A Ventur was listed in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1279. Years later, William le Ventre was found in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1327. Francis Ventreys was listed in the Feet of Fines for Huntingdonshire in 1600. [1]

Some records point to Cambridgeshire, where the family was first referenced in the 13th century when they held a family seat at Wittlesford.

The Venters variant is typically found in Scotland where the name is "current in Fife," but like the English variants, there is much debate as to the origin. [4]

Early History of the Ventris family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ventris research. Another 110 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1586, 1603, 1610, 1614, 1642, 1645, 1650, 1653, 1654, 1661, 1674, 1681, 1688, 1689 and 1691 are included under the topic Early Ventris History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ventris Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Ventris has been spelled many different ways, including Ventris, Ventres, Venters, Ventrus, Ventras, Venture, Ventures, Ventrice, Ventriss, Fentress, Fentris and many more.

Early Notables of the Ventris family

Distinguished members of the family include

Sir Peyton Ventris (1645-1691), English judge and politician. He was the "eldest surviving son of Edward Ventris, barrister-at-law, of Gray's Inn and Granhams, Great Shelford, Cambridgeshire (a scion...

Ventris migration to the United States +

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Ventriss to arrive in North America:

Ventris Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

John Ventris, who landed in Virginia in 1666 [5]

Ventris Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Benjamin Ventris, who arrived in Virginia in 1749
John Ventris, who immigrated to Maryland in 1756

Ventris Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Edward James Ventris, aged 30, who immigrated to the United States from Reading, in 1903

Contemporary Notables of the name Ventris (post 1700) +

Michael George Francis Ventris (1922-1956), British linguist known for "Documents in Mycenaean Greek," a joint work with John Chadwick
Christopher Ventris, British tenor

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
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)
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)
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)