Show ContentsChinery History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The vast movement of people that followed the Norman Conquest of England of 1066 brought the Chinery family name to the British Isles. They lived in Essex. The family was originally from St. Ceneri, Normandy, and it is from this location, where the Chinery family lived prior to the invasion of England, that the surname was originally derived.

Early Origins of the Chinery family

The surname Chinery was first found in Essex 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.

Early History of the Chinery family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Chinery research. Another 114 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1774, 1797, 1852, 1860 and 1932 are included under the topic Early Chinery History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Chinery Spelling Variations

A multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Chenery, Chinnery, Chinnerey, Chinner and others.

Early Notables of the Chinery family

More information is included under the topic Early Chinery Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Chinery family to Ireland

Some of the Chinery family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 38 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Chinery migration to the United States +

Many English families left England, to avoid the chaos of their homeland and migrated to the many British colonies abroad. Although the conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and some travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute, once in the colonies, many of the families prospered and made valuable contributions to the cultures of what would become the United States and Canada. Research into the origins of individual families in North America has revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Chinery or a variant listed above:

Chinery Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • George Chinery, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1876

Australia Chinery migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Chinery Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • John Chinery, English convict from Suffolk, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on October 22nd, 1824, settling in New South Wales, Australia 1
  • Miss Charlotte Chinery, (b. 1812), aged 24, English silk weaver who was convicted in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England for life for robbery, transported aboard the "Elizabeth" on 20th June 1836, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, she travelled with her 2 children on board, she died in 1837 2
  • Miss Chinery, (b. 1832), aged 4, English settler traveling with convict mother Miss Charlotte Chinery, transported aboard the "Elizabeth" on 20th June 1836, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 2
  • Miss Chinery, English settler traveling with convict mother Miss Charlotte Chinery, transported aboard the "Elizabeth" on 20th June 1836, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 2

New Zealand Chinery 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:

Chinery Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Miss Louisa Chinery, (b. 1862), aged 3 months, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship 'Mermaid' arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 26th December 1862 3
  • Miss Margaret Chinery, (b. 1862), aged 3 months, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship 'Mermaid' arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 26th December 1862 3
  • Mrs. Louisa Chinery, (b. 1835), aged 27, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship 'Mermaid' arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 26th December 1862 3
  • Mr. Charles Chinery, (b. 1837), aged 25, British farm labourer travelling from London aboard the ship 'Mermaid' arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 26th December 1862 3
  • Mr. Charles Chinery, Jr., (b. 1861), aged 1, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship 'Mermaid' arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 26th December 1862 3


  1. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Asia 1 voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1824 with 9 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1824
  2. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 11th March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elizabeth
  3. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html


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