Show ContentsSennett History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Sennett family

The surname Sennett was first found in County Wexford (Irish: Loch Garman), founded by Vikings as Waesfjord, and located in Southeastern Ireland, in the province of Leinster. "Descended from an honourable stock, of Norman extraction. They were possessed of lands in Ireland from the time of the Invasion, and in the county where they first found footing." 1 They claim descent from the Marquis of Lusignan, whose descendants came into England, at or soon after the Norman Conquest.

Early History of the Sennett family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sennett research. Another 191 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1344 and 1720 are included under the topic Early Sennett History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sennett Spelling Variations

Church officials and medieval scribes often spelled early surnames as they sounded. This practice often resulted in many spelling variations of even a single name. Early versions of the name Sennett included: Sinnot, Sinnott, Sinnet, Sinnett, Sinot, Sinott and many more.

Early Notables of the Sennett family

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


United States Sennett migration to the United States +

Ireland experienced a dramatic decrease in its population during the 19th century. This was in a great measure, a response to England's imperialistic policies. Hunger and disease took the lives of many Irish people and many more chose to leave their homeland to escape the horrific conditions. North America with its promise of work, freedom, and land was an extremely popular destination for Irish families. For those families that survived the journey, all three of these things were often attained through much hard work and perseverance. Research into early immigration and passenger lists revealed many immigrants bearing the name Sennett:

Sennett Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Garrett Sennett, who landed in Virginia in 1657 2
  • Jane Sennett, who arrived in Maryland in 1677 2

Australia Sennett migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Sennett Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Moses Sennett, a carpenter, who arrived in New South Wales, Australia sometime between 1825 and 1832
  • John Sennett, a slater, who arrived in New South Wales, Australia sometime between 1825 and 1832

Contemporary Notables of the name Sennett (post 1700) +

  • Vernon Sennett Jr., American politician, Candidate for Mayor of Norwood, Ohio, 1983 3
  • George B. Sennett, American politician, Mayor of Meadville, Pennsylvania, 1881 3
  • Mrs. Sennett Kirk, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Kansas, 1920 4
  • Sennett Kirk, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Kansas, 1916, 1924 4


The Sennett 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: Sin not
Motto Translation: If not


  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. 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)
  3. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 28) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  4. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 27) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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