Ayn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The earliest origins of the name Ayn date back to the time of the Anglo-Saxons. The name is derived from the baptismal name for Haine. As the naming tradition grew in Europe baptismal names began to be introduced in many countries. Baptismal names were sometimes given in honour of Christian saints and other biblical figures. There are very few Christian countries in Europe that did not adopt surnames from these religious figures.

Alternatively, the name could have been a local name from Haynes or Hawnes, a parish, in the union of Ampthill, hundred of Flitt in Bedfordshire. 1 This parish dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 when it was recorded as Hagenes. 2 It literally meant "the enclosures." 3 Another source claims the name is from Haisne, near Arras, France. 4

Early Origins of the Ayn family

The surname Ayn was first found in the Domesday Book of 1086 where Hagene and Hagana were listed in Herefordshire and Norfolk respectively. 2

From this early listing, the name evolved and was used as both a forename and surname, as Hagena Jugement was listed in the Pipe Rolls for Suffolk in 1130. It was not until 1198 that we found the name as a surname: Rogerus filius Hane in the Feet of Fines for Norfolk. The same rolls, but for Staffordshire listed Hagan(us) in 1199 and later in Norfolk in 1240. Alicia filia Hahen was listed in the Feet of Fines for Norfolk in 1202 which is very interesting as this would have been one of the first entries for a female or "daughter" to hold lands. 5

Hugh de Haynes witnessed a charter of Payen de Beauchamp, founding Chicksand Priory, 12th century 4

Adam filius Hayne was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Lancashire in 1332 and Peter Hain was found in the Pipe Rolls for Dorset in 1200. 5

Somerset was an early homestead for the family as seen by the following early entries: Ralph Hayne; William Hayne; Alice Heynes; Walter Heynes; and Ade Heynes. All entries were 1 Edward III (during the first year of King Edward III's reign.) 6

The Yorkshire Poll Rolls of 1379 included: Adam Hauneson; Johannes Hayne; Robertus Haynson; and Thomas Hane as all holding lands there at that time. 7

Early History of the Ayn family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ayn research. Another 63 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1202, 1552, 1564, 1582, 1594, 1631, 1645, 1653, 1659, 1668, 1671, 1672, 1675, 1690, 1693, 1696, 1697, 1701, 1702, 1705, 1710, 1723, 1737, 1749 and 1752 are included under the topic Early Ayn History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ayn Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Ayn include Haines, Hains, Hain, Haine, Haynes, Hainson and many more.

Early Notables of the Ayn family

Notables of this surname at this time include:

John Haynes (sometimes spelled Haines) (1594-1653), English colonial magistrate from Messing Essex, one of the founders of the Connecticut Colony, he was on the committee that drafted the Fundamental...
Hezekiah Haynes (died 1693), second son of John Haynes of Copford Hall in Essex, was a supporter of the parliamentary cause during the English Civil War

Migration of the Ayn family to Ireland

Some of the Ayn family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 30 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Ayn family

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Ayn or a variant listed above: John Haine, who settled in Virginia in 1623; Henry Hains in Virginia in 1638; Richard Hains and his wife Anne settled in Virginia in 1643; Robert Hains in Virginia in 1646.

Contemporary Notables of the name Ayn (post 1700) +

Ayn Rand (1905-1982), born Alisa Zinov'yevna Rosenbaum, Russian-born, American novelist, philosopher, playwright, and screenwriter

Citations +

Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)