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Enos History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Motto Suggested Reading Citations

Enos History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The illustrious surname Enos finds its origin in the rocky, sea swept coastal area of southwestern England known as Cornwall. Although surnames were fairly widespread in medieval England, people were originally known only by a single name. The process by which hereditary surnames were adopted is extremely interesting. As populations grew, people began to assume an extra name to avoid confusion and to further identify themselves. Under the Feudal System of government, surnames evolved and they often reflected life on the manor and in the field. Lords and their tenants often became known by the name of the feudal territory they owned or lived on. Unlike most Celtic peoples, who favored patronymic names, the Cornish predominantly used local surnames. This was due to the heavy political and cultural influence of the English upon the Cornish People at the time that surnames first came into use. Local surnames were derived from where a person lived, held land, or was born. While many Cornish surnames of this sort appear to be topographic surnames, which were given to people who resided near physical features such as hills, streams, churches, or types of trees, many are actually habitation surnames derived from lost or unrecorded place names. The name Enos is a local type of surname and the Enos family lived in Cornwall, at the village of Ennis. The place-name is Gaelic in origin, and derives from an Anglicization of the personal name Angus.

Early Origins of the Enos family

The surname Enos was first found in Cornwall where "the manors of Pettigrew and Nampitty, [in the parish of Gerrans] were the property of Francis Enys, Esq. in whose family they have been for a considerable time." 1

"It is generally understood that Enys, [in the parish of St. Gluvias] which is now the seat of Francis Enys, Esq. has been in this family ever since the days of Edward I. ; for so high this family can be traced. In the Cornish play, brought into Oxford in 1450, and of which the manuscript is still preserved in the Bodleian Library, Enys and some other lands are given as a reward to the builder of the universe. Its situation is about two miles from Penryn, on the right hand side of the road leading to Truro. In the Magna Britannia for 1720, notice is taken of its celebrated gardens. They still preserve their beauty, and the grounds are enlivened with the diversified prospects which they command." 1

Early History of the Enos family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Enos research. Another 186 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1312, 1611, 1620, 1651, 1660, 1697 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Enos History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Enos Spelling Variations

Cornish surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The official court languages, which were Latin and French, were also influential on the spelling of a surname. Since the spelling of surnames was rarely consistent in medieval times, and scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings of their surname in the ancient chronicles. Moreover, a large number of foreign names were brought into England, which accelerated and accentuated the alterations to the spelling of various surnames. Lastly, spelling variations often resulted from the linguistic differences between the people of Cornwall and the rest of England. The Cornish spoke a unique Brythonic Celtic language which was first recorded in written documents during the 10th century. However, they became increasingly Anglicized, and Cornish became extinct as a spoken language in 1777, although it has been revived by Cornish patriots in the modern era. The name has been spelled Ennis, Ennys, Enys, Eynes and others.

Early Notables of the Enos family

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

Enos Ranking

In the United States, the name Enos is the 3,829^th most popular surname with an estimated 7,461 people with that name. 2

Migration of the Enos family to Ireland

Some of the Enos family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 81 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Enos migration to the United States +

An examination into the immigration and passenger lists has discovered a number of people bearing the name Enos:

Enos Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

William Enos, who arrived in New Haven, Connecticut in 1639 3
Daniell Enos, who arrived at the American Plantation in Barbados in 1679

Enos Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

I Enos, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1851 3
Anna Enos, aged 35, who landed in New York, NY in 1876 3

Enos migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Enos Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Griswold Enos, who arrived in Canada in 1841

Contemporary Notables of the name Enos (post 1700) +

William Berkeley Enos (1895-1976), birth name of Busby Berkeley, highly influential Hollywood movie director and musical choreographer
Roswell Enos, American politician, Member of New York State Assembly from Cayuga County, 1825
R. K. Enos, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Ohio, 1860
Lawrence Enos, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Arizona, 1972
Joseph C. Enos, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for Connecticut State House of Representatives from Stonington, 1940
Joseph Enos, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Massachusetts, 1956
Fred Enos, American politician, U.S. Collector of Customs, 1909
Diane Enos, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Arizona, 2008
Charles R. Enos, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Colorado, 1936; Member of Republican National Committee from Colorado, 1937-40
Benjamin Enos, American politician, Member of New York State Assembly from Madison County, 1834, 1839-40; New York State Treasurer, 1845-46; Appointed 1845
... (Another 5 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Enos family +

USS Arizona

Mr. James R. Enos, American Seaman Second Class working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he survived the sinking 4

The Enos 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: Virtute et valore
Motto Translation: By virtue and valour.