The name Reynards has a rich and ancient history. It is an Anglo-Saxon name that was originally derived from the baptismal name Rainer, which was taken from the Old Germanic name Raginhari which means counsel and army. Baptismal names began to appear as surnames relatively late in the growth of the naming tradition. This is a little surprising, given the popularity of biblical figures in the Christian countries of Europe. Nevertheless, surnames derived from baptismal names grew in popularity during the Middle Ages, and have become one of the foremost sources for surnames.
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Early Origins of the Reynards family
The surname Reynards was first found in Devon 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. There is also an entry in the Domesday Book 1086)) listing a Rogerus filius Rainardi, Rainart in Norfolk.
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Early History of the Reynards family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Reynards research. Another 79 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1589, 1649 and 1661 are included under the topic Early Reynards History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Reynards Spelling Variations
Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Reynards include Reynard, Reynardson, Renhard, Renyard, Reinard and many more.
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Early Notables of the Reynards family
Distinguished members of the family include
Sir Abraham Reynardson (1589-1661), an English merchant from Plymouth, Lord Mayor of London in 1649...
He was son of Thomas Reynardson, turkey merchant, of Plymouth1...
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Migration of the Reynards family
A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: Johnis Rynard, who was on record in New York in 1687; Joan Reynard, who came to America from Ireland in 1740; Caspar Reynard, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1751.
England
