Show ContentsJarnit History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Jarnit is a name that was carried to England in the great wave of migration from Normandy following the Norman Conquest of 1066. It is a name for a person who grew or sold pomegranates. This metonymic name, which is a type of name that refers to the principal object associated with the activity of the original bearer, is derived from the old French words pome, which meant fruit or apple, and grenate, which meant full of seeds. The name of the precious stone is derived from the same source. The name Jarnit is also a metonymic occupational name for a maker or fitter of hinges, derived from the Old French word carne, which means hinge. The name Jarnit was brought to England after the Norman Conquest of 1066 and it spread into the county of Lancashire.

Early Origins of the Jarnit family

The surname Jarnit was first found in Lancashire at Leck, a township and chapelry, in the parish of Tunstall, union of Lancaster, hundred of Lonsdale south of the Sands. "This township belonged to the Gernets, of Halton, in the reign of John." 1

"According to Domesday Book, Skelmersdale, [Lancashire] was in 1066 held by Uctred, who also held Dalton and Uplitherland; like these it was assessed as one ploughland, and was worth the normal 32d. beyond the usual rent. Later it was part of the forest fee, held by the Gernet family. The first of them known to have held it, Vivian Gernet, gave Skelmersdale and other manors to Robert Travers; these were held in 1212 by Henry Travers under Roger Gernet." 2

Early History of the Jarnit family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Jarnit research. Another 67 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1555, 1575, 1605, 1606 and 1608 are included under the topic Early Jarnit History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Jarnit Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Jarnit has been recorded under many different variations, including Garnett, Garnet, Garnette, Gernet, Gernett and others.

Early Notables of the Jarnit family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Sir Roger Gernett of Lancashire; Henry Garnet (1555-1606), sometimes Henry Garnett, an English Jesuit priest executed for his complicity in the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. He was born at Heanor, Derbyshire, the son of Brian Garnett and his wife, Alice Jay. "Father John Gerard states that his parents were well esteemed, and well able to maintain their family...
Another 66 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Jarnit Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Jarnit family

To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Jarnits were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America: James Garnet who settled in Maryland in 1685; Elizabeth Garnet settled in Virginia in 1623; Judith Garnett settled in Massachusetts in 1634; Susan and Thomas Garnett settled in Virginia in 1623.



  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. 'Townships: Scarisbrick', in A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 3, ed. William Farrer and J Brownbill (London, 1907), pp. 265-276. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/lancs/vol3/pp265-276 [accessed 21 January 2017].


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