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Origin Displayed: English

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

The Surname Maynard is derived from the Germanic personal name Mainard, which is composed of the elements magin, which means strength, and hard, which means hardy, brave or strong. This personal name was popular among the Normans and it was brought to England after the Norman Conquest, when William the Conqueror gave his friends and relatives most of the land formerly owned by Anglo-Saxon aristocrats. The Normans imported a vast number of Norman French personal names, which largely replaced traditional Old English personal names among the upper and middle classes.

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 Maynard, Mainard and others.

First found in Suffolk where they were seated from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

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 Maynard or a variant listed above: Kingsmill Maynard settled in Virginia in 1663; James Maynard was banished from the west of England to the Barbados in 1685; Nicholas Maynard settled with his wife and five children and servants in the Barbados in 1680.

Motto Translated: A just hand is a precious ointment.

For more information on the last name Maynard, the PDF Surname History is available for purchase as well as other products.


Suggested Readings for the name Maynard
  • A Genealogy of Jacob S. Maurer (Also Maynard Family) and Wife Elisabeth Rickli by William Benz Maynard.
  • The Maynards of East Kentucky by Roland B. Maynard.

Some noteworthy people of the name Maynard
  • Liuetenant Robert Maynard, captian of the HMS Pearl, most famous for defeating the infamous pirate Blackbeard in battle
  • Air Marshall Sir Nigel Maynard,
  • Brigadier Francis Maynard,
  • Professor Geoffrey Maynard, Economics
  • Edwin Maynard, Diplomat
  • Vera Maynard, M.P


Tell Me More About Family Crests


Family Crests: the Heraldic Artist


We have researched the Maynard family crest in the most recognized sources. Before an artist or craftsman can render a family crest, it must exist. In other words the crest must have been designed and recorded by the heralds from time immemorial.

Heraldic designs matriculated by the lay-artist in many cases becomes uninspired, meretricious and even ugly...

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Family Crests: Timeline


Many of the symbols adopted into armory have been used since the time of the ancient Egyptians, but heraldry itself did not begin until the 11th century. In continental Europe, the most ancient recorded family crest was discovered upon the monumental effigy of a Count of Wasserburg in the church of St. Emeran, at Ratisobon, Germany...

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Family Crests: Elements


In the Maynard coat of arms as in all coat of arms the crest is only one element of the full armorial achievement. Again the Family Crest is just part of the story of Coats of Arms or Heraldry. Heraldry is defined as the hereditary art or science of blazoning, the description is appropriate technical terms of Coats-of-Arms and other heraldic and armorial insignia, and is of very ancient origin...

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Family Crests and Genealogy: how they relate


We encourage you to study the Maynard genealogy to find out if you descend from someone who bore a particular family crest. Anyone making a study of heraldry usually becomes interested in Genealogy or seeking legal claim to a particular family crest. No families, not even the royal houses, can make sound claim to the right to bear arms unless a proven connection is established through attested Genealogical records...

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Maynard Family Crest Products


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Armorial histories for the name Maynard.
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Clip art of all the most used heraldic pieces.
Coat of Arms for the name Maynard.
Downloads proudly displaying the Maynard coat of arms.
Family Crest for the name Maynard.
Family Tree displaying the family crest for the name Maynard.
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Packages with a Maynard family crest.
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Surname Histories for the name Maynard.
Travel Mugs displaying the Maynard family crest.
Popular Products
Armorial History With Coat of Arms
Coat of Arms & Surname History Package
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The Maynard Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Maynard 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.

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