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In the late Middle Ages, French families adopted surnames by the thousands. Jenness appeared first in the former province of Anjou. It was originally a name for a poultry farmer. It is a southern French diminutive form of the surname Gelinier, which is derived from the Old French word "geline", which means "poultry" or "hens".
The surname Jenness was first found in Anjou, a former county, duchy, and province centred on the city of Angers in the lower Loire Valley of western France.
By the 11th century the family were well established in the region of Anjou and several members were distinctive in their contributions toward the community in which they lived and their efforts were rewarded with lands, titles and letters patent confirming their nobility. Witnessing a donation made by the monks of Marmoutiers, Jean de Gennes, Lord of Gennes, is the first member of the family mentioned in 1095.
In 1144, Etienne de Gennes, Lord of La Motte de Gennes, married Anne de La Faucille and their son, Guillaume, became the Knight of La Motte de Gennes in 1188. Taking part in the Crusades of 1248, Etienne de Gennes, Knight and Lord of La Motte de Gennes, was sent, upon his return, as an Ambassador to the Duke of Bourgogne who authorized the addition of a gold fleur de lys on his Coat of Arms. 1
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Jenness research. Another 222 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1346, 1472, 1473, 1578, 1654 and 1730 are included under the topic Early Jenness History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Spelling variations of this family name include: Gennes, Jennes, Jenness, Genne, Jenne, Genes, Jenes, Des Gennes, Les Gennes, Les Jennes, Des Jennes and many more.
More information is included under the topic Early Jenness Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.