Denmend History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The Anglo-Saxon name Denmend comes from the family having resided in or near the valley. The surname is derived form the word den, which meant valley. It is generally thought that the name was Saxon in origin and meant "the man of the valley; a dweller in the vale." 1

Early Origins of the Denmend family

The surname Denmend was first found in Essex, where the first record of the family was William Deneman who was listed in the Feet of Fines for 1314. A few years later, Adara Deneman was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Surrey in 1332. 2

Further to the north in Yorkshire, Thomas de Denne; Richard de Denne; and Adam Denman were all listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379. 3

Early History of the Denmend family

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

Denmend Spelling Variations

Denmend has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Spelling variants included: Denman, Dennam and others.

Early Notables of the Denmend family

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

Migration of the Denmend family

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Denmends to arrive on North American shores: Joe Denman settled in Bermuda in the Summers Islands in 1635; Thomas Denman settled in Barbados in 1673; Charles Denman settled in Boston in 1716; C.L. Denman arrived in San Francisco in 1850 with a lady..

The Denmend Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Prudentia et constantia
Motto Translation: By prudence and constancy.

Citations +

Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)