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An excerpt from www.HouseOfNames.com archives copyright © 2000 - 2013

Origins Available: English, German

Where did the English Mains family come from? What is the English Mains family crest and coat of arms? When did the Mains family first arrive in the United States? Where did the various branches of the family go? What is the Mains family history?

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Anglo-Norman names are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. When the Normans became the ruling people of England in the 11th century, they introduced a new language into a society where the main languages of Old and later Middle English had no definite spelling rules. These languages were more often spoken than written, so they blended freely with one another. Contributing to this mixing of tongues was the fact that medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, ensuring that a person's name would appear differently in nearly every document in which it was recorded. The name has been spelled Main, Maine, Mayne and others.

First found in Devon where they held a family seat from very early times and were granted lands by Duke William of Normandy, their liege Lord, for their distinguished assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 A.D.


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This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Mains research. Another 203 words(14 lines of text) covering the years 1140, 1544, 1577, 1612 and 1661 are included under the topic Early Mains History in all our PDF Extended History products.

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Another 73 words(5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Mains Notables in all our PDF Extended History products.

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Some of the Mains family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. Another 101 words(7 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products.

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For many English families, the political and religious disarray that plagued their homeland made the frontiers of the New World an attractive prospect. Thousands migrated, aboard cramped disease-ridden ships. They arrived sick, poor, and hungry, but were welcomed in many cases with far greater opportunity than at home in England. Many of these hardy settlers went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Among early immigrants bearing the name Mains or a variant listed above were:

Mains Settlers in the United States in the 19th Century


  • James Mains, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1808
  • Peter Mains, aged 25, arrived in America in 1822

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  • Gil Mains (1930-2009), American football player
  • Willard Eben Mains (1868-1923), American National League Baseball pitcher
  • James Royal Mains (1922-1969), American Major League Baseball pitcher
  • Gilbert Lee "Gil" Mains (1929-2009), American AFL football defensive tackle for the Detroit Lions (1953 to 1961)
  • Laurence William 'Laurie' Mains MNZM (b. 1946), New Zealand retired rugby union footballer and coach
  • Johnny Mains (b. 1976), Scottish editor and writer of horror fiction


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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: Projeci
Motto Translation: I have thrown away.

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  1. Burke, John Bernard Ed. The Roll of Battle Abbey. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing. Print.
  2. Marcharn, Frederick George. A Constitutional History of Modern England 1485 to the Present. London: Harper and Brothers, 1960. Print.
  3. Crispin, M. Jackson and Leonce Mary. Falaise Roll Recording Prominent Companions of William Duke of Normandy at the Conquest of England. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing. Print.
  4. Lennard, Reginald. Rural England 1086-1135 A Study of Social and Agrarian Conditions. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1959. Print.
  5. Foster, Joseph. Dictionary of Heraldry Feudal Coats of Arms and Pedigrees. London: Bracken Books, 1989. Print. (ISBN 1-85170-309-8).
  6. Filby, P. William and Mary K Meyer. Passenger and Immigration Lists Index in Four Volumes. Detroit: Gale Research, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8).
  7. Bardsley, C.W. A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6).
  8. Markale, J. Celtic Civilization. London: Gordon & Cremonesi, 1976. Print.
  9. Hinde, Thomas Ed. The Domesday Book England's Heritage Then and Now. Surrey: Colour Library Books, 1995. Print. (ISBN 1-85833-440-3).
  10. Bullock, L.G. Historical Map of England and Wales. Edinburgh: Bartholomew and Son, 1971. Print.
  11. ...

The Mains Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Mains Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.

This page was last modified on 29 April 2013 at 08:45.

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