Show ContentsDenne History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Denne family

The surname Denne was first found in Wuerttemberg, where the name was closely identified in early mediaeval times with the feudal society which would become prominent throughout European history. The name would later emerge as a noble family with great influence, having many distinguished branches, and become noted for its involvement in social, economic and political affairs.

Early History of the Denne family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Denne research. Another 60 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1655, 1681, 1707 and 1735 are included under the topic Early Denne History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Denne Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Denner, Denne, Danne, Dane, Denn, Danner and others.

Early Notables of the Denne family

Notables with the surname Denne during this period were

  • Johann Christoph Denner (1655-1707), considered to be the inventor of the clarinet


Denne migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Denne Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. John Denne, (b. 1771), aged 49 who was convicted in Kent, England for life, transported aboard the "Dick" on 2nd October 1820, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1853 1

Denne migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Denne Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Miss Jane P Denne, (b. 1857), aged 25, Scottish settler travelling from Scotland (possible Greenock) aboard the ship "Wellington" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 8th March 1883, heading for Invercargill 2

Contemporary Notables of the name Denne (post 1700) +

  • Major-General Lambert Denne (1831-1898), English soldier and cricketer from Thames Ditton in Surrey
  • Wayne Denne (b. 1976), South African bronze medalist field hockey player at the 2003 Champions Challenge
  • Thomas Denne (1808-1876), English cricketer who played first-class cricket for Oxford University in 1827
  • David Denne (1799-1861), English first-class cricketer associated with Kent who was active in the 1820s
  • Denne Bart Petitclerc (1929-2006), American Writers Guild of America nominated writer, known for Islands in the Stream (1977), The Vivero Letter (1999) and Then Came Bronson
  • Denne Bart Petitclerc (1929-2006), American journalist, war correspondent, author, television producer, and screenwriter from Montesano, Washington

Vimy Ridge
  • William Charles Denne (1886-1917), Canadian car cleaner, Private in the 44th Battalion from Manitoba who died at Vimy Ridge April 1917


  1. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 8th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Dick
  2. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html


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