Show ContentsManypenny History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Manypenny is an ancient Norman name that arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Manypenny family lived in Fife. Moneypenny is a compound name composed of two elements, the Old English moning, meaning money, and the Old English pening, meaning penny. Moneypenny originated as a nickname to identify a rich man or may have been ironically used to describe a poor man. Another derivation, which is equally valid in certain cases, indicates that Moneypenny is a local name adapted from the place called Magnepeigne in Normandy.

Early Origins of the Manypenny family

The surname Manypenny was first found in Fife where they were granted lands by the King of Scotland.

Early History of the Manypenny family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Manypenny research. Another 99 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1180, 1200, 1296 and 1450 are included under the topic Early Manypenny History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Manypenny Spelling Variations

Norman surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are largely due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England, as well as the official court languages of Latin and French, also had pronounced influences on the spelling of surnames. Since medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings. The name has been spelled Moneypenny, Manypenny, Monypenny and others.

Early Notables of the Manypenny family

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


United States Manypenny migration to the United States +

Many English families emigrated to North American colonies in order to escape the political chaos in Britain at this time. Unfortunately, many English families made the trip to the New World 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 stormy Atlantic. Despite these hardships, many of the families prospered and went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the United States and Canada. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the name Manypenny or a variant listed above:

Manypenny Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Clemens Manypenny, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1773 1
Manypenny Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Joseph Manypenny, aged 37, who arrived in Connecticut in 1812 1

Contemporary Notables of the name Manypenny (post 1700) +

  • George W Manypenny, American commissioner of Indian Affairs (1853-1857)
  • Michael Noel II Manypenny, American Democratic Party politician, Member of West Virginia State House of Delegates; Elected 2010, 2012 2


The Manypenny 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: Imperat aequor
Motto Translation: He rules the sea.


  1. 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)
  2. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 16) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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