Manning History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Etymology of Manning

What does the name Manning mean?

Manning is one of the oldest family names to come from the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is derived from the Old English personal name Manning. According to some experts, this name is derived from the Old Norse word manningi, which means a valiant man. 1 Another source claims that the surname was an "ancient personal name." 2 However, one source claims that name was an ancient Norman name that must have moved to England at some point. Lambert Maignon was listed in Normandy in 1180 and a few years later, William, Ansketel le Maignen was also found in Normandy 1180-1185. 3

Early Origins of the Manning family

The surname Manning was first found in Suffolk and later in various counties throughout England. "The Mannings were, in the 13th century, represented by the Manings in Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Hunts, Lincolnshire, etc. Now they have their principal homes in Essex and Devon, and are also established in Cheshire, Northamptonshire, and Gloucestershire." 4

"The oldest record of the family occurs in Domesday [Book] as Mannig (Suffolk)" 1 The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list: Henry Maninge in Cambridgeshire; and Nicholas Mannyng in Kent. Later the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 list Johannes Mannyng and Nora Mannyng. 1

Mannings Heath is a village in the Horsham District of West Sussex, England.

Early History of the Manning family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Manning research. Another 81 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1300, 1630 and 1711 are included under the topic Early Manning History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Manning Spelling Variations

Only recently has spelling become standardized in the English language. As the English language evolved in the Middle Ages, the spelling of names changed also. The name Manning has undergone many spelling variations, including Manning, Maning, Mannings and others.

Early Notables of the Manning family

William Manning (1630?-1711), an English ejected minister and Unitarian writer

Manning World Ranking

the United States, the name Manning is the 362^nd most popular surname with an estimated 74,610 people with that name. 5 However, in Canada, the name Manning is ranked the 939^th most popular surname with an estimated 5,780 people with that name. 6 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Manning is the 259^th popular surname with an estimated 171 people with that name. 7 Australia ranks Manning as 384^th with 9,706 people. 8 New Zealand ranks Manning as 336^th with 1,882 people. 9 The United Kingdom ranks Manning as 420^th with 15,483 people. 10

Migration of the Manning family to Ireland

Some of the Manning family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 35 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Manning migration to the United States +

To escape the unstable social climate in England of this time, many families boarded ships for the New World with the hope of finding land, opportunity, and greater religious and political freedom. Although the voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, those families that arrived often found greater opportunities and freedoms than they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Manning were among those contributors:

Manning Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Edmund Manning, aged 40, who arrived in New England in 1635 12
William Manning, who landed in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1640 12
Thomas, Manning Jr., who landed in Maryland in 1658 12
Grace Manning, who landed in Maryland in 1658 12
Hugh Manning, who landed in Maryland in 1663 12
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Manning Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

John Manning, who landed in America in 1760-1763 12
James Manning, who landed in America in 1764 12
Peter Manning, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1766 12
Nathaniel Manning, who landed in New Jersey in 1772 12
Walter Manning, who landed in New Hampshire in 1776 12
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Manning Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Terence Manning, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1824 12
Patrick Manning, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1838 12
Fras Manning, who landed in Mobile, Ala in 1849 12
J W Manning, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1850 12
J Manning, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1850 12
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Manning Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Andrew Manning, who landed in Mobile, Ala in 1900 12
Miss Winifred Manning, (b. 1874), aged 26, Cornish settler, from Liskeard, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Teutonic" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 4th October 1900 en route to Brooklyn, New York, USA 13
Ms. Emma Manning, (b. 1838), aged 67, Cornish settler, from Gulval, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Philadelphia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York in 1905 en route to Pawtucket, Rhode Island, USA 13

Manning migration to Canada +

Manning Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Henry Manning, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
Richard Manning, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749-1752
Richard Manning, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
Thomas Manning, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
David Manning, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Manning Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

John Manning, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1814
James Manning, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1820
John Manning, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1824
Elizabeth Manning, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1829
John Manning, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1833
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Manning migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the First Fleet and Second Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

First Fleet

Miss Sarah Manning, (1761 - 1839), aged 27, British convict convicted in Essex, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Lady Juliana" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 11

Second Fleet

Mr. Charles Manning, British settler convicted in London, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Active" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 12
Mr. Thomas Manning, British settler convicted in Essex, England in 1789, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Admiral Barrington" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 12

Following the First and Second Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Manning Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. John Manning, British convict who was convicted in Warwick, Warwickshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Calcutta" in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
Miss Mary Manning, (b. 1779), aged 31, English convict who was convicted in Northampton, Northamptonshire, England for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Canada" in March 1810, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, she died in 1833 15
Mr. Richard Manning, (b. 1798), aged 28, British Convict who was convicted in Suffolk, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Earl St Vincent" on 20th April 1826, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 16
Mr. Patrick Manning, (b. 1779), aged 48, Irish rope maker who was convicted in Cork, Ireland for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Eliza" on 19th July 1827, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17
Miss Mary Manning, (b. 1806), aged 24, Irish servant who was convicted in Wexford, Ireland for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Forth II" on 3rd June 1830, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 18
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Manning 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:

Manning Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Jonathan Manning, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
Henry Manning a surgeon, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Olympus" in 1842
Dr. Manning, British settler travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "John Wickliffe" arriving in Port Chalmers, Otago, New Zealand on 23rd March 1848 19
Henry Manning a surgeon, who arrived in Otago aboard the ship "John Wickliffe" in 1848 19
Mr. William Manning, (b. 1853), aged Infant, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Egmont" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 23rd December 1853 19
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Manning (post 1700) +

Peyton Williams Manning (b. 1976), American professional NFL football quarterback, two-time Super Bowl Champion, two-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year, Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year (2013)
Judy Manning (1942-2025), American politician, member of the House of Representatives in the U.S. state of Georgia, represented District 34, which encompasses parts of Cobb County
Terry Manning (1947-2025), American recording engineer, record producer, musician, photographer, and visual artist (1963-2025)
Blanche M. Manning (1934-2020), American jurist, Senior United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Donald "Don" Manning (1965-2020), American politician, Member of the Ohio House of Representatives (2019-2020)
Elisha Archibald "Archie" Manning III (b. 1949), former American football quarterback who played for 13 seasons in the National Football League, inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, father of Peyton Manning, Eli Manning and Cooper Manning
Peter Jonathan "Pete" Manning (1937-2019), American NFL and CFL football player who played for the Chicago Bears, Calgary Stampeders and Toronto Argonauts
Lynn Manning (1955-2015), American playwright, poet and actor
Richard Francis Xavier "Brennan" Manning (1934-2013), American author, friar, priest and speaker
... (Another 130 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Manning family +

Flight 191

J Manning (d. 1979), American passenger from Los Angeles, California, USA, who flew aboard American Airlines Flight 191 and died in the crash 20
Miss Vera Grace Manning (1908-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 21
Miss Edna May Manning (1910-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 22
Mrs. Alma Irene Manning, Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 22
Mrs. Annie Manning, Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 22
... (Another 8 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Manning 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: Esse quam videri
Motto Translation: To be, rather than to seem.

Sources +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
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)
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
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
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
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)
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 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/calcutta
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 9th December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/canada
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th September 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-st-vincent
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th February 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eliza
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th October 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
Flight 191's Victims - latimes. (Retrieved 2014, April 16) . Retrieved from http://articles.latimes.com/1985-08-04/news/mn-4349_1_fort-lauderdale-area
Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance