Conayn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland
Scotland
England

The people known in ancient Scotland as the Picts were the ancestors of the first to use Conayn as a name. It was a name for a personal name Conan, which means little hound. The name could also be a local name from the land of Conan in Kincardinshire. In this situation, the name would have been a topographic or local surname, which was given to a family who held a barony or lands, had houses, manors or estates in that area.

Early Origins of the Conayn family

The surname Conayn was first found in Kincardineshire (Gaelic: A' Mhaoirne), a former county on the northeast coast of the Grampian region of Scotland, and part of the Aberdeenshire Council Area since 1996, where Adam filius Conani was probably the first recording of the name in 1292. A few years later, Conan of Balquhidder rendered homage to King Edward I of England on his brief conquest of Scotland in 1296.

Early History of the Conayn family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Conayn research. Another 70 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1608 and 1694 are included under the topic Early Conayn History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Conayn Spelling Variations

In medieval Scotland, names were more often spelled according to sound than any regular set of rules. An enormous number of spelling variations were the result. Over the years, the name Conayn has been spelled Conan, Conane, Conad, Connan, Connant, Conant and others.

Early Notables of the Conayn family

Notable amongst the Clan at this time was Sir Arthur Conant; and Rev. John Conant D.D. (1608-1694), an English clergyman, theologian, and Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University. He was the "son of Robert and Elizabeth...
Another 34 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Conayn Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Conayn family to Ireland

Some of the Conayn family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Conayn family

In such difficult times, Ireland, Australia, and North America looked like better homes for many Scots. The trips were expensive and grueling, but also rewarding, as the colonies were havens for those unwelcome in the old country. That legacy did not die easily, though, and many were forced to fight for their freedom in the American War of Independence. The Scottish legacy has resurface in more recent times, though, through Clan societies, highland games, and other organizations. Immigration and passenger lists have shown many early immigrants bearing the old Scottish name of Conayn: Christopher Conant who settled in Plymouth Massachusetts in 1623; as did Roger and his wife in the same year; Roger Conant and his wife settled in Maine in 1623.