Show ContentsNanphind History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Welsh name Nanphind can be traced back to when the Nanphind family lived in the settlement of Nannau, which is in the county of Merioneth. The root of this place-name is probably the Celtic word "nant," which means "brook." The surname belongs to the category of habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.

Early Origins of the Nanphind family

The surname Nanphind was first found in Merionethshire (Welsh: Sir Feirionnydd), made a county in Northwest Wales in 1284, and anciently part of the kingdom of Gwynedd, where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the census rolls taken by the ancient Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Early History of the Nanphind family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Nanphind research. Another 84 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1578, 1691, 1718, 1725 and 1767 are included under the topic Early Nanphind History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Nanphind Spelling Variations

Compared to other ancient cultures found in the British Isles, the number of Welsh surnames are relatively few, but there are an inordinately large number of spelling variations. These spelling variations began almost as soon as surname usage became common. As a result, people could not specify how to spell their own names leaving the specific recording up to the individual scribe or priest. Those recorders would then spell the names as they heard them, causing many different variations. Later, many Welsh names were recorded in English. This transliteration process was extremely imprecise since the Brythonic Celtic language of the Welsh used many sounds the English language was not accustomed to. Finally, some variations occurred by the individual's design: a branch loyalty within a family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations were indicated by spelling variations of one's name. The Nanphind name over the years has been spelled Nanney, Nanny, Nannau, Nanphan and others.

Early Notables of the Nanphind family

Another 40 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Nanphind Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Nanphind family

The Welsh began to emigrate to North America in the late 1800s and early 1900s in search of land, work, and freedom. Those that arrived helped shape the industry, commerce, and the cultural heritage of both Canada and the United States. The records regarding immigration and passenger show a number of people bearing the name Nanphind: Robert Nanney who settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1635; Martin Nanny arrived in Virginia in 1731.



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