Marnell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Marnell was first found in Essex where they held a family seat. They were descended from the great and noble Marinni (Mareigni or Mairinni) family of Calvados, in the arrondisement of Bayeux in Normandy where Gwerri de Marinni in 1166 held half a knight's fee at Adam de Port of Mapledurwell. 1

Robert de Mareigni was granted lands in Essex in 1168. About this time, the family name changed to de Marny. William held in 1207 and 1284. 1

Another source gives more details. "This family held Layer Marney, in Essex, from the time of Henry II. to that of Henry VIII. The first mentioned is 'William de Marney, who about the year 1166 held a knight's fee under Henry de Essex, of the Honour of Hagnet. ' " 2

At some point, the family branched to the parish of St. Mabyn, in Cornwall. "The manor of Colquite or Kilquite is mentioned in Doomsday as Chilcoit, and is described as one of the 288 manors belonging to the Earl of Moreton. At a subsequent period this was in the family of Serjeaux, by one of whose co-heiresses it was brought in marriage to the Marneys. About the middle of the sixteenth century, John Lord Marney, whose father was created Lord Marney in 1524, built an elegant mansion at Colquite. In this family it remained until it was carried by marriage to the Hoblyns." 3