Show ContentsDinnand History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancestry of the name Dinnand dates from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It comes from when the family lived in Dinham, a hamlet in the county Monmouthshire. [1]

Early Origins of the Dinnand family

The surname Dinnand was first found in Monmouthshire. However, another source points to Devon and Cornwall as the origin of the family. In this case, Barons Dinham, and De Dinant, claim descent from the Viscounts Dinant of Bretagne, France. [2]

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 has two listings in Devon: Oliver de Dynham; and Robert de Dyncham as both holding lands there at that time. [1]

The manor of Bodarle or Bodardle, in the parish of Lanlivery, Cornwall belonged in the reign of Richard I. In 1259, it was conveyed by Isolda de Cardinham to Oliver de Dinan, in whose posterity it continued for several generations. [3]

Early History of the Dinnand family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Dinnand research. Another 78 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1295, 1320, 1433, 1460, 1486, 1501, 1765 and 1784 are included under the topic Early Dinnand History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Dinnand Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Dinnand have been found, including Dynham, Dinan, Dinham, Dinat, Dyneham and others.

Early Notables of the Dinnand family

Distinguished members of the family include Sir John Dynham, 1st Baron Dynham, (c. 1433-1501) was made High Sheriff of Devon and Lord Chancellor of Ireland in 1460, Lord High Treasurer of England in 1486, an English peer and politician, served as councillor to Edward IV, Richard III and Henry VII. Charles Dignum, son of a master tailor, was born at Rotherhithe in 1765. His father, being a Roman Catholic, placed him when a boy in the choir of the Sardinian ambassador's chapel in Duke Street, Lincoln's Inn Fields, where his fine voice attracted the attention of Samuel Webbe, the glee composer...
Another 131 words (9 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Dinnand Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Dinnand family

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Dinnand, or a variant listed above: Thomas Dinham, who came to Virginia in 1731; George Dinham, who arrived in New England in 1763; as well as Daniel, James, Michael, and Thomas Dinan, who all settled in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860..



  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)
  2. The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
  3. Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print


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