Show ContentsDeneen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Deneen Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Deneen

What does the name Deneen mean?

The ancestors of the name Deneen date back to the days of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from their residence in Dinham, a hamlet in the county Monmouthshire. 1

Early Origins of the Deneen family

The surname Deneen was first found in Monmouthshire. However, another source points to Devon and Cornwall as the origin of the family. In this case, Barons Dinham, and De Dinant, claim descent from the Viscounts Dinant of Bretagne, France. 2

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 has two listings in Devon: Oliver de Dynham; and Robert de Dyncham as both holding lands there at that time. 1

The manor of Bodarle or Bodardle, in the parish of Lanlivery, Cornwall belonged in the reign of Richard I. In 1259, it was conveyed by Isolda de Cardinham to Oliver de Dinan, in whose posterity it continued for several generations. 3

Early History of the Deneen family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Deneen research. Another 78 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1295, 1320, 1433, 1460, 1486, 1501, 1765 and 1784 are included under the topic Early Deneen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Deneen Spelling Variations

Deneen has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Deneen have been found, including Dynham, Dinan, Dinham, Dinat, Dyneham and others.

Early Notables of the Deneen family

Sir John Dynham, 1st Baron Dynham, (c. 1433-1501) was made High Sheriff of Devon and Lord Chancellor of Ireland in 1460, Lord High Treasurer of England in 1486, an English peer and politician, served as councillor to Edward IV, Richard III and Henry VII. Charles Dignum, son of a master tailor, was born at Rotherhithe in 1765. His father, being a Roman Catholic, placed him when a boy in the choir of the Sardinian ambassador's chapel in Duke Street, Lincoln's Inn Fields, where his fine voice attracted the attention of Samuel Webbe, the glee composer, then organist there, who undertook to...
Another 131 words (9 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Deneen Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Deneen migration to the United States +

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Deneens to arrive on North American shores:

Deneen Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Jonathan Deneen, aged 30, who arrived in New York in 1892 aboard the ship "Aurania (1883)" from Queenstown, Ireland 4
Deneen Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Mary Ellen Deneen, aged 18, originally from New Ross, who arrived in New York in 1901 aboard the ship "Germanic" from Queenstown, Ireland 4
  • Michael J. Deneen, aged 42, originally from Liverpool, who arrived in New York in 1904 aboard the ship "Oceanic" from Liverpool, England 4
  • Missy Deneen, aged 24, originally from Cork, Ireland, who arrived in New York in 1907 aboard the ship "Majestic (1890)" from Queenstown, Ireland 4
  • Bertha Deneen, aged 27, originally from Toronto, Canada, who arrived in New York in 1913 aboard the ship "Bermudian" from Hamilton, Bermuda 4

Contemporary Notables of the name Deneen (post 1700) +

  • Bina Deneen (1868-1950), born Bina Maloney, the first two-term first lady of Illinois
  • Charles Samuel Deneen (1863-1940), American politician, 23rd Governor of Illinois (1905-1913)
  • Patrick Deneen (b. 1987), American gold medalist freestyle skier at the 2009 International Ski Federation (FIS) Freestyle World Ski Championships
  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. 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)
  3. Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
  4. Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result

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