Denment History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The name Denment is part of the ancient legacy of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is a product of when the family lived in or near the valley. The surname is derived form the word den, which meant valley. It is generally thought that the name was Saxon in origin and meant "the man of the valley; a dweller in the vale." 1

Early Origins of the Denment family

The surname Denment was first found in Essex, where the first record of the family was William Deneman who was listed in the Feet of Fines for 1314. A few years later, Adara Deneman was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Surrey in 1332. 2

Further to the north in Yorkshire, Thomas de Denne; Richard de Denne; and Adam Denman were all listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379. 3

Early History of the Denment family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Denment research. Another 70 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Denment History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Denment Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Denment has been spelled many different ways, including Denman, Dennam and others.

Early Notables of the Denment family

More information is included under the topic Early Denment Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Denment family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Denments to arrive in North America: Joe Denman settled in Bermuda in the Summers Islands in 1635; Thomas Denman settled in Barbados in 1673; Charles Denman settled in Boston in 1716; C.L. Denman arrived in San Francisco in 1850 with a lady..

The Denment Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Prudentia et constantia
Motto Translation: By prudence and constancy.

Citations +

Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)