Show ContentsChenks History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Chenks family

The surname Chenks was first found in Shropshire where they held a family seat in the 13th century. The name could have also been a baptismal name as in "son of John" which was a diminutive of Jenkin and this was later modified to Jenks and Jinks. 1

Early History of the Chenks family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Chenks research. Another 146 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1241, 1396, 1439, 1455, 1487, 1510, 1542, 1600, 1602, 1632, 1642, 1645, 1646, 1654, 1656, 1671, 1675, 1682, 1697, 1714, 1717, 1724, 1740 and 1982 are included under the topic Early Chenks History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Chenks Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Chenks include Jenks, Jenkes, Jinks, Jinkes, Chenks, Chenkes and others.

Early Notables of the Chenks family

Distinguished members of the family include Joseph Jencks I (1602-1682), early American settler in Lynn, Massachusetts. He was awarded the first patent in North America by the General Court of Massachusetts, for making scythes. In 1654 he built the first fire engine in North America. His son, Joseph Jencks II (1632-1717), arrived in 1645, was the earliest known settler of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, in 1671 and became Deputy to the Rhode Island Assembly. Joseph Jenckes (1656-1740), was Deputy Governor and Governor of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. Henry Jenkes (d. 1697), was a Gresham professor of rhetoric, descended...
Another 132 words (9 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Chenks Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Chenks family

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Chenks or a variant listed above: Frank H. Jenckes, aged 53, who arrived at Ellis Island destined for Woonsocket, Rhode Island, in 1913; Frederick L. Jenckes, aged 39, who arrived at Ellis Island, in 1916.



  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)


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