Ain History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The ancient Anglo-Saxon surname Ain came from the baptismal name for Haine. As the naming tradition grew in Europe baptismal names began to be introduced in many countries. Baptismal names were sometimes given in honour of Christian saints and other biblical figures. There are very few Christian countries in Europe that did not adopt surnames from these religious figures.

Alternatively, the name could have been a local name from Haynes or Hawnes, a parish, in the union of Ampthill, hundred of Flitt in Bedfordshire. 1 This parish dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 when it was recorded as Hagenes. 2 It literally meant "the enclosures." 3 Another source claims the name is from Haisne, near Arras, France. 4

Early Origins of the Ain family

The surname Ain was first found in the Domesday Book of 1086 where Hagene and Hagana were listed in Herefordshire and Norfolk respectively. 2

From this early listing, the name evolved and was used as both a forename and surname, as Hagena Jugement was listed in the Pipe Rolls for Suffolk in 1130. It was not until 1198 that we found the name as a surname: Rogerus filius Hane in the Feet of Fines for Norfolk. The same rolls, but for Staffordshire listed Hagan(us) in 1199 and later in Norfolk in 1240. Alicia filia Hahen was listed in the Feet of Fines for Norfolk in 1202 which is very interesting as this would have been one of the first entries for a female or "daughter" to hold lands. 5

Hugh de Haynes witnessed a charter of Payen de Beauchamp, founding Chicksand Priory, 12th century 4

Adam filius Hayne was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Lancashire in 1332 and Peter Hain was found in the Pipe Rolls for Dorset in 1200. 5

Somerset was an early homestead for the family as seen by the following early entries: Ralph Hayne; William Hayne; Alice Heynes; Walter Heynes; and Ade Heynes. All entries were 1 Edward III (during the first year of King Edward III's reign.) 6

The Yorkshire Poll Rolls of 1379 included: Adam Hauneson; Johannes Hayne; Robertus Haynson; and Thomas Hane as all holding lands there at that time. 7

Early History of the Ain family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ain research. Another 63 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1202, 1552, 1564, 1582, 1594, 1631, 1645, 1653, 1659, 1668, 1671, 1672, 1675, 1690, 1693, 1696, 1697, 1701, 1702, 1705, 1710, 1723, 1737, 1749 and 1752 are included under the topic Early Ain History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ain Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Ain has been recorded under many different variations, including Haines, Hains, Hain, Haine, Haynes, Hainson and many more.

Early Notables of the Ain family

Notables of this surname at this time include:

John Haynes (sometimes spelled Haines) (1594-1653), English colonial magistrate from Messing Essex, one of the founders of the Connecticut Colony, he was on the committee that drafted the Fundamental...
Joseph "Jo" Haines (died 1701), sometimes called Count Haines, was a 17th-century actor, singer, dancer, guitar player, fortune teller, author, and member of the King's Company. "After some experience...

Migration of the Ain family to Ireland

Some of the Ain family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 30 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Ain family

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Ain or a variant listed above: John Haine, who settled in Virginia in 1623; Henry Hains in Virginia in 1638; Richard Hains and his wife Anne settled in Virginia in 1643; Robert Hains in Virginia in 1646.

Contemporary Notables of the name Ain (post 1700) +

Stuart L. Ain, American Republican politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from New York 6th District, 1978 8

Citations +

Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
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)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, February 2) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html