The history of the Champnay family name begins after the Norman Conquest of 1066. They lived in Yorkshire. They were originally from Champigne or Champagne, Normandy, and it is from the family's residence there that the name derives. [1]
The surname Champnay was first found in Somersetshire they claim descent from the Sieur de Champney in Normandy. From him the Chamneys of Orchardleuigh in Oxfordshire descend. [2]
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Champnay research. Another 73 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1300, 1534, 1569, 1643, 1669 and 1548 are included under the topic Early Champnay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Anglo-Norman names are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. When the Normans became the ruling people of England in the 11th century, they introduced a new language into a society where the main languages of Old and later Middle English had no definite spelling rules. These languages were more often spoken than written, so they blended freely with one another. Contributing to this mixing of tongues was the fact that medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, ensuring that a person's name would appear differently in nearly every document in which it was recorded. The name has been spelled Champney, Chamnes, Chamness, Chamney, Champneys and many more.
Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Anthony Champney (1569?-1643?), English Catholic divine, descended from a family of good account in Yorkshire, was born in that county in...
Another 29 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Champnay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Some of the Champnay 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.
For many English families, the political and religious disarray that plagued their homeland made the frontiers of the New World an attractive prospect. Thousands migrated, aboard cramped disease-ridden ships. They arrived sick, poor, and hungry, but were welcomed in many cases with far greater opportunity than at home in England. Many of these hardy settlers went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Among early immigrants bearing the name Champnay or a variant listed above were: Edward Champneys who settled in New Jersey in 1675 with his wife Priscilla, son and daughter; James Champness settled in Baltimore in 1774; John and Jane Champnes settled in Barbados in 1654..