Denown History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland
England

Though hidden in the annals of history, the chronicles of Scotland reveal the early records of the Norman surname Denown which ranks as one of the oldest. The history of the name is interwoven within the colorful plaid of Scottish history and is an intrinsic part of the heritage of Scotland.

Early Origins of the Denown family

The surname Denown was first found in Denholm, a small village located between Jedburgh and Hawick in the Scottish Borders. 1

As early as the 16th century, the hamlet was named Denum and was frequently plundered and burnt during English raids of that time. There are three parishes named Denham in England where the local is derived from the Old English word "denu" + "ham" meaning "homestead or village in a valley." 2

In Buckinghamshire, Denham is today a village and civil parish in the union of Eton and comprises 3780 acres. It was listed as Deneham in 1066 and later as Daneham in the Domesday Book 3.

Denham, Suffolk is near Bury St Edmunds and was listed as Denham in 1086. There is another Denham in Suffolk which lies near Eye and in this latter case, it was spelt Denham in 1086. Conjecturally, the family was descended from W. Hurrant, a Norman noble, who was granted the lands of Denham by William the Conqueror, and erected Denham Castle, and today the earthworks of the moat and bailey still remain.

Early History of the Denown family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Denown research. Another 120 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1150, 1296, 1299, 1506, 1556, 1559, 1564, 1565, 1572, 1577, 1580, 1581, 1584, 1586, 1587, 1588, 1591, 1600, 1607, 1614, 1639, 1669, 1800 and 1815 are included under the topic Early Denown History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Denown Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Denham, Denholm, Denholme, Dennam and others.

Early Notables of the Denown family

Notable among the family at this time was Henry Denham (fl. 1591), English printer who was presented as an apprentice with Richard Tottel, 14 Oct. 1556. "He was fined in 1564 for printing unlicensed primers, in 1565 and 1584 for using indecorous language, and for improper behaviour on other occasions, which conduct did not prevent him from being called to the livery of the Stationers' Company in 1572, in serving as renter in 1580 and 1581, and being appointed under-warden in 1586 and 1588. He lived in Paternoster Row, at the sign of the Star, which, with the motto 'Os homini...
Another 111 words (8 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Denown Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Denown family to Ireland

Some of the Denown family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 33 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 Denown family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: William Denham who settled in Virginia in 1623; followed by Richard in 1670; Charles Denham settled in Barbados in 1660; followed by John in 1680; James Denham settled in Maryland in 1716.

The Denown 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: Cura dat victoriam
Motto Translation: Caution gives victory.

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)