Contents [hide]

Dennison History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Related Stories Motto Citations

Dennison History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland
Ireland

The Dennison surname is a patronymic, created from the personal name Dennis; thus the name originally meant "son of Dennis." Dennis comes ultimately from the Latin Dionysius.

Early Origins of the Dennison family

The surname Dennison was first found in Yorkshire where the first record of the name was found in 1212. Richard Dionys of Yorkshire, was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax of 1379. 1

Some were found at the chapelry of Speeton in the East Riding of Yorkshire. "This township, which belongs to W. J. Denison, Esq., comprises about 1820 acres of land, and commands a beautiful view of the shore from Scarborough to Flamborough Head: the village is situated on an eminence north-east of the road from Bridlington to Scarborough." 2

However, there is much dispute over the origin of the name. Some claim the name was derived from the Scottish Dennistouns. 3 Yet the author admits that name was also found in Norfolk and Suffolk in early times too. Thomas Denison, one of the Society of Merchant Adventurers, was buried in Leeds parish church in 1708.

Early History of the Dennison family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Dennison research. Another 70 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1275, 1381, 1590, 1629, 1694, 1714, 1782 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Dennison History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Dennison Spelling Variations

The arts of spelling and translation were yet in their infancies when surnames began, so there are an enormous number of spelling variations of the names in early Scottish records. This is a particular problem with Scottish names because of the numerous times a name might have been loosely translated to English from Gaelic and back. Dennison has been spelled Dennison, Denison, Denson, Dennistoun, Dennistown, Dennisone and many more.

Early Notables of the Dennison family

Another 49 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Dennison Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Dennison Ranking

In the United States, the name Dennison is the 1,768^th most popular surname with an estimated 17,409 people with that name. 4

Migration of the Dennison family to Ireland

Some of the Dennison family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 58 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Dennison migration to the United States +

This oppression forced many Scots to leave their homelands. Most of these chose North America as their destination. Although the journey left many sick and poor, these immigrants were welcomed the hardy with great opportunity. Many of these settlers stood up for their newfound freedom in the American War of Independence. More recently, Scots abroad have recovered much of their collective heritage through highland games and other patriotic functions and groups. An examination of passenger and immigration lists has located various settlers bearing the name Dennison:

Dennison Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Edward Dennison, who settled in New England in 1623
Dannie Dennison, who was on record in New England in 1626
Hume Dennison who settled in Virginia in 1650
John Dennison, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1682 5

Dennison Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Barnaby Dennison, a bonded passenger, who settled in America in 1736
Charles Dennison, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1746 5

Dennison Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Michael Dennison, aged 23, who arrived in New York in 1812 5
Samuel Dennison, aged 37, who landed in New York in 1812 5
Richard Dennison, who landed in New York, NY in 1816 5
Mr. Dennison, who arrived in Mobile, Ala in 1821 5
Thomas Dennison, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1838 5
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Dennison Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Abraham Dennison, aged 50, who settled in America from Liverpool, England, in 1904
Agnes Dennison, aged 28, who landed in America from Glasgow, in 1904
Alexander Dennison, aged 22, who immigrated to the United States from Bandalstorm, Ireland, in 1908
Alexr. Dennison, aged 10, who immigrated to the United States from Stirling, Scotland, in 1911
Alice Dennison, aged 45, who landed in America from Stirling, Scotland, in 1911
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Dennison migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Dennison Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Eleanor Dennison, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
Mary Dennison, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
Thomas Dennison, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
Mr. Isaac Dennison U.E. who settled in Charlotee County, New Brunswick c. 1784 member of the Cape Ann Association 6
Mr. John Dennison U.E. who settled in Charlotee County, New Brunswick c. 1784 member of the Cape Ann Association 6
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Dennison Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

William Dennison, who landed in Canada in 1817
Sally Dennison, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Robert Burns" in 1834
Mr. Bartholomew Dennison, aged 45 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Columbia" departing from the port of Sligo, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle in June 1847 7
Mr. Bartholomew Jr. Dennison, aged 15 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Columbia" departing from the port of Sligo, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle in June 1847 7
Mr. James Dennison who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Columbia" departing from the port of Sligo, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle in 1847 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Dennison migration to Australia +

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

Dennison Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

John Dennison, aged 25, who arrived in South Australia in 1851 aboard the ship "Marion" 8
Eliza Dennison, aged 26, a domestic servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1852 aboard the ship "Standard" 9
Sarah Dennison, aged 24, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1852 aboard the ship "Standard" 9
Isaac Dennison, aged 22, a farm servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1852 aboard the ship "Standard" 9
Robert Dennison, aged 20, a farm servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1852 aboard the ship "Standard" 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Dennison 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:

Dennison Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Thomas Dennison, who arrived in Canterbury aboard the ship "Hastings" in 1856
William Dennison, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Andrew Jackson" in 1865
Mary Dennison, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Andrew Jackson" in 1865
H. M. Dennison, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Endymion" in 1873
Ellen Dennison, aged 19, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Woodlark" in 1874
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Dennison (post 1700) +

Jo-Carroll Dennison (1923-2021), American actress and model, Miss America 1942, wife of comedian Phil Silvers
George Marshel Dennison (1935-2017), American academic, University President of the University of Montana (1990-2010)
Rick Dennison (b. 1958), American offensive coordinator for the NFL 's Houston Texans
Aaron Lufkin Dennison (1812-1895), American watchmaker, founder of the Dennison Manufacturing Company in 1844 which would later merge into the Avery Dennison Corporation, a global manufacturer and distributor of pressure-sensitive adhesive materials
William Dennison Jr. (1815-1882), American politician, 24th Governor of Ohio
David Short Dennison Jr., American politician, who served in the United States House of Representatives (1957 to 1959)
Robert Lee Dennison (1901-1980), American admiral
Kate Dennison (b. 1984), South African-born, English pole vaulter record holder
Frederick Ridley Dennison (1876-1960), New Zealand mechanical engineer from Oamaru who designed and built New Zealand's first indigenous motor car in 1900
Robert "Robbie" Dennison (b. 1963), Northern Irish former professional footballer
... (Another 1 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Dennison 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: Adversa virtute repello
Motto Translation: I repel adversity by virtue.

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 24)
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) MARION 1851 - HER HISTORY. Retrieved http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1851Marion.htm
South Australian Register Tuesday 3 February 1852. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) STANDARD 1852. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/standard1852.shtml