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![Show Contents]() Nanphyn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The Welsh name Nanphyn can be traced back to when the Nanphyn 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 Nanphyn familyThe surname Nanphyn 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 Nanphyn familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Nanphyn research. Another 84 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1578, 1691, 1718, 1725 and 1767 are included under the topic Early Nanphyn History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Nanphyn Spelling VariationsCompared 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. The most obvious reason was the challenge of translating from Welsh into English. 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 Nanphyn name over the years has been spelled Nanney, Nanny, Nannau, Nanphan and others. Early Notables of the Nanphyn familyAnother 40 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Nanphyn Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Nanphyn familyMany people from Wales joined the general migration to North America in the 19th and 20th centuries, searching for land, work, and freedom. Like the many other immigrants from the British Isles, they made a significant contribution to the development of Canada and the United States. The Welsh and their descendents added a rich cultural tradition to the newly developed towns, cities, and villages. An investigation of the immigration and passenger lists has revealed a number of people bearing the name Nanphyn: Robert Nanney who settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1635; Martin Nanny arrived in Virginia in 1731.
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England
Wales
