Show ContentsPane History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Pane has a history dating as far back as the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. It was a name for a person who lives in the country or a person who's religious beliefs are somewhat suspect. Checking further we found the name was derived from the Old English word paien, which was originally derived from the Latin word paganus, meaning rustic or countryman. It later also came to mean heathen and was often given to children whose baptism was delayed or, to adults whose religious zeal was not what the standards of the day indicated it should have been.

Conversely, many believe that the family claim Norman descent as in "Paganus was a Norman personal name, whence the modern Payne and Paine, as well as the more ancient Paganel and Paynel. William the Conqueror was assisted in his invasion, by several persons so designated, and in [the] Domesday Book we find among his tenants in capite, or chief holders of land, the names of Ralph Paganel and Edmund filius Pagani, i.e., Fitz-Payne. Indeed during the Norman dynasty, Paganus was one of the most common names in England." 1

Early Origins of the Pane family

The surname Pane was first found in Somerset where the aforementioned Edmund filius Pagen (Pagani) 2 was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086. The same source also lists the aforementioned Ralph Paganel as Radulfus Paganus, again in Somerset. 2

Almost one hundred years later, Reginaldus filius Pain was listed as a Knights Templar in 1185 in Lincolnshire. The Pipe Rolls of Worcestershire list John Pane in 1190 and the Pipe Rolls of Hampshire list Robert Pain in 1200. Payn de Weston was listed in the Assize Rolls of Somerset in 1268. 3

Sir John Paynell of Drax, from Yorkshire was summoned to Parliament as a Baron from the 29th of December 1299 to the 25th of August 1318. 4 The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 have numerous entries as a forename and surname including: Payne de Stantin in Norfolk; Robert filius Payn in Huntingdonshire; and Gilbert Payn in Essex. 5

The parish of Stourpain in Dorset "derives its name from its situation near the river Stour, which runs on the west and south, and from one of its earliest proprietors, named Paine." 6 "A priory of Black canons, in honour of St. James, was founded here [in Warter in the East Riding of Yorkshire] in 1132, by Geoffry Fitz-Pain." 6

"It is however, remarkable that a colony of Paynes has been established across the Scottish border in Dumfriesshire. " 7

Early History of the Pane family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Pane research. Another 176 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1455, 1489, 1506, 1532, 1582, 1630, 1632, 1652, 1695, 1698, 1704, 1710, 1713, 1715, 1717, 1789 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Pane History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pane Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years the English language had no fixed system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations occurred commonly in Anglo Norman surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Pane were recorded, including Payne, Paine, Paynell, Pane, Pain and others.

Early Notables of the Pane family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Peter Payne (died 1455), English lollard and Taborite, born at Hough-on-the-Hill, near Grantham, Lincolnshire; Saint John Paine (1532-1582), English Catholic priest and martyr; Elizabeth Pain (c. 1652-1704), sometimes spelled Payne, English spinster in Boston who was brought to trial after the death of her child, she was acquitted of the murder charge but found guilty of negligence, fined, and flogged, some believe is the inspiration for the character Hester Prynne in the novel The Scarlet...
Another 82 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Pane Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Pane family to Ireland

Some of the Pane family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 142 words (10 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Pane migration to the United States +

The unstable environment in England at this time caused numerous families to board ships and leave in search of opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad in places like Ireland, Australia, and particularly the New World. The voyage was extremely difficult, however, and only taken at great expense. The cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels caused many to arrive diseased and starving, not to mention destitute from the enormous cost. Still opportunity in the emerging nations of Canada and the United States was far greater than at home and many went on to make important contributions to the cultures of their adopted countries. An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Pane arrived in North America very early:

Pane Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Mathew Pane, who landed in Virginia in 1658 8
  • John Pane, who landed in Maryland in 1663 8
  • Thomas Pane, who arrived in Maryland in 1665 8
  • Richard Pane, who arrived in Maryland in 1675 8
  • Robert Pane, who landed in Maryland in 1678 8
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Pane Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • William Pane, who landed in Virginia in 1703 8
  • Jane Pane, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 8

Contemporary Notables of the name Pane (post 1700) +

  • Michele Pane (1876-1953), Italian-born, American symbolist poet and journalist
  • Karen W. Pane, American administrator, former Assistant Secretary for Policy and Planning at the Department of Veterans Affairs
  • Irma Pane, Indonesian American pop singer
  • Mikill Pane (b. 1985), English rapper
  • Sanusi Pane (1905-1968), Indonesian writer, journalist, and historian
  • Luigi Pane (b. 1977), Italian director and video artist
  • Lafran Pane (1922-1991), Indonesian academic, founder of the Muslim Students' Association and National Hero of Indonesia
  • Gina Pane (1939-1990), French artist from Biarritz, France
  • Armijn Pane (1908-1970), Indonesian author
  • Mauro Pane (1963-2014), Italian driver, champion kart driver and owner of the company "Historic F1" in Sannazzaro de' Burgondi, the only European company that repairs and maintains vintage models of single-seater racing cars


The Pane 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: Malo mori quam foedari
Motto Translation: I would rather die than be disgraced.


  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
  5. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  6. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  7. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  8. 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)


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