Show ContentsManningsly History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The generations and branches of the Manningsly family share a name that has its roots in the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. The name Manningsly comes from the Old English personal name Manning. According to some experts, this name is derived from the Old Norse word manningi, which means a valiant man. 1 Another source claims that the surname was an "ancient personal name." 2 However, one source claims that name was an ancient Norman name that must have moved to England at some point. Lambert Maignon was listed in Normandy in 1180 and a few years later, William, Ansketel le Maignen was also found in Normandy 1180-1185. 3

Early Origins of the Manningsly family

The surname Manningsly was first found in Suffolk and later in various counties throughout England. "The Mannings were, in the 13th century, represented by the Manings in Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Hunts, Lincolnshire, etc. Now they have their principal homes in Essex and Devon, and are also established in Cheshire, Northamptonshire, and Gloucestershire." 4

"The oldest record of the family occurs in Domesday [Book] as Mannig (Suffolk)" 1 The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list: Henry Maninge in Cambridgeshire; and Nicholas Mannyng in Kent. Later the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 list Johannes Mannyng and Nora Mannyng. 1

Mannings Heath is a village in the Horsham District of West Sussex, England.

Early History of the Manningsly family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Manningsly research. Another 81 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1300, 1630 and 1711 are included under the topic Early Manningsly History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Manningsly Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Manningsly include Manning, Maning, Mannings and others.

Early Notables of the Manningsly family

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

Ireland Migration of the Manningsly family to Ireland

Some of the Manningsly family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 35 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Manningsly family

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Manningsly or a variant listed above: Anne and Edmund Maning, who settled in New England in 1635; Peter, John, Joan and Jane Maning settled in Virginia in 1635; Joseph, Jacob, Margaret, Mary, Sarah and Thomas Manning all settled in Boston in 1679.



The Manningsly 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: Esse quam videri
Motto Translation: To be, rather than to seem.


  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. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. 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)
  4. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.


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