The surname Garness was first found in Suffolk where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. The Saxon influence of English history diminished after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The language of the courts was French for the next three centuries and the Norman ambience prevailed. But Saxon surnames survived and the family name was first referenced in the year 1202 when Gilbert Garnoise succeeded Robert at Laxfield.
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Garness research. Another 107 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1379, 1513, 1455, 1487 and 1534 are included under the topic Early Garness History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Garness were recorded, including Garnish, Garneys, Garnoise, Garnays, Gareneys, Garniss, Garnies, Garness, Garnesh, Garnishe and many more.
Distinguished members of the family include Sir Christopher Garneys or Garnysse (died 1534), Chief Porter of Calais, a gentleman usher of the king's chamber in the beginning of the reign of Henry VIII. "He was the king's companion in the masquerades then popular at court, and won money at cards from his royal master. He was rewarded by an annuity of 10l., soon afterwards...
Another 64 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Garness Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Garness family emigrate to North America: settlers, who arrived along the eastern seaboard, from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands.