Agnew History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  Ireland 
  Scotland 


Early Origins of the Agnew family

The surname Agnew was first found in the Barony of Agneaux, within Normandy, where "a Marquis d'Agneaux still owns portions of the ancestral fiefs and the Chateau d'Agneaux still overlooks the valley of the Vire. In 1363 the Lochnaw family of the name were appointed hereditary sheriffs of Galloway (Gaelic: Gall-ghaidhealaibh) by King David a and they gradually became great land-owners in the province, holding many estates." 1

"In 1074 Herbert de Agnellis and Corbin his son sold lands to Odo of Bayeux." 2

Some have mistakenly considered the Agnews to be of Irish origin, as an Anglicized form of the Irish sept O'Gnivews, but the name is actually of territorial origin, deriving from Agneaux. They are descended from John McDonnell, brother of Angus Oge, Lord of the Isles, his grandson being John MacGneive, who was called in English, Agnew.

Early History of the Agnew family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Agnew research. Another 90 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1578, 1628, 1633, 1643, 1644, 1647, 1660, 1661, 1665, 1667, 1669, 1671, 1685, 1687, 1689, 1702, 1735, 1771, 1864, 1890 and 1893 are included under the topic Early Agnew History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Agnew Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Agnew, Gneive, MacGneive, Aggnew, O'Gnieves, O'Gneeves, Agnewe, Agnev and many more.

Early Notables of the Agnew family

Notable amongst the Clan from early times was

Agnew Ranking

In the United States, the name Agnew is the 3,657th most popular surname with an estimated 7,461 people with that name. 3 However, in New Zealand, the name Agnew is ranked the 653rd most popular surname with an estimated 1,093 people with that name. 4

Migration of the Agnew family to Ireland

Some of the Agnew family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 74 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Agnew migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Agnew Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Agnew Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Agnew Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
Agnew Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Agnew migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Agnew Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Agnew Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Agnew migration to Australia +

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

Agnew Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Agnew migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Agnew Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Agnew (post 1700) +


The Agnew 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: Consilio non impetu
Motto Translation: By wisdom not by rashness.
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