Show ContentsMenay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Menay family

The surname Menay was first found in Masny in Hainaut, France where Walter De Manny, 1st Baron Manny, KG (1310–1372), voyaged to England as a soldier of fortune and esquire of Queen Philippa in 1327. He settled in the London area founding Charterhouse and took part in the Scottish wars of King Edward III, eventually rising to be in command of the English fleet. He was later captured and thrown into prison at Saint-Jean-d'Angély but was able to escape. Upon his eventual return to England, he founded Charterhouse in London in 1349. His daughter Anne Hastings, Countess of Pembroke and 2nd Baroness Manny (1355–1384) succeeded him in 1375 and shortly before her death, she was invested as a Lady of the Garter.

Early History of the Menay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Menay research. Another 163 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1357, 1362, 1372, 1389, 1608, 1641, 1676 and 1706 are included under the topic Early Menay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Menay Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Menay include Mayney, Maney, Many, Mainey, Mainy, Manie, Maynie, Mainie, Mainy, Meny, Meyney, Meney and many more.

Early Notables of the Menay family

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

Migration of the Menay family

In England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Menays to arrive on North American shores: the name represented in many forms and recorded from the mid 17th century in the great migration from Europe. Migrants settled in the eastern seaboard from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands..



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