The surname Ap fynd is derived from the Middle English words "fein," "fayn," or " fane," which all mean "glad." The name was a nickname for a happy or good-natured person. The name could also have been a local name derived from the expression "at the van" or in other words near the "threshing-floor" derived from the word "van" which was a threshing instrument.
The surname Ap fynd was first found in Monmouthshire (Welsh: Sir Fynwy), where the ancestors of the earls of Westmorland, "wrote their name Vane, and descended from Howel ap Vane, living there before the time of William the Conqueror" [1] living about the year 1060.
Another reference states: "The Fanes or Vanes are said to have originated from Wales; in the reign of Henry VI, they were seated at Hilden in Tunbridge, in Kent, by marriage with the Peshalls." [2]
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ap fynd research. Another 130 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1625, 1626, 1580, 1629, 1602, 1666, 1639, 1681, 1589, 1655, 1613, 1662, 1653, 1723, 1616, 1663, 1689, 1715, 1715, 1645, 1693, 1682, 1734, 1708, 1710, 1727, 1734, 1734, 1680, 1721 and 1721 are included under the topic Early Ap fynd History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
The Welsh have an extremely large amount of spelling variations of their native surnames to their credit. As time progressed, the old Brythonic names of Wales were recorded in English, which was especially problematic since the English language had extreme difficulty recording the highly inflected sounds of Cymraeg. Spelling variations were, however, also carried out according to an individual's design: a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations could be indicated by spelling variations of one's name. The spelling variations of the name Ap fynd have included Fane, Ap Fane, Fain, Vane, Vain, Veynes, Vanes and others.
Prominent amongst the family during the late Middle Ages was Francis Fane (1580-1629), 1st Earl of Westmorland (second creation); Mildmay Fane, 2nd Earl of Westmorland (1602-1666), an English nobleman, politician, and writer; Lady Mary Fane (1639-1681) was the daughter of Mildmay Fane, 2nd Earl of Westmorland; Sir Henry Vane the Elder (1589-1655), English courtier, father of Henry Vane the Younger; Sir Henry Vane the Younger (1613-1662), statesman, Puritan, son of Henry Vane the Elder; and his son, Christopher Vane, 1st Baron Barnard (1653-1723), an English peer; George Fane (c. 1616-1663) was an English politician who fought for the...
Another 98 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Ap fynd Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Some of the Ap fynd family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Many Welsh families joined their Scottish and Irish neighbors during the late 1800s and early 1900s in seeking refuge in North America. Like the Irish and Scottish, many Welsh anxiously awaited the work, freedom, and opportunities that they believed lay in North America. Those who did journey over to the United States and what became known as Canada often realized those dreams, but only through much toil and perseverance. Whenever and however these Welsh immigrants arrived in North America, they were instrumental in the creation of the industry, commerce, and cultural heritage within those two developing nations. In the immigration and passenger lists a number of early immigrants bearing the name Ap fynd were found: Sir Henry Vane (1613-1662), who arrived in Boston in 1635, was the Governor of Massachusetts in 1636 and returned to England in 1637, where he became a Member of Parliament.