Show ContentsGernant History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Gernant family name dates back to 1066 when the Norman Conquest of England introduced a plethora of new names and words into Britain. It comes from an early member of the family who was a person who had a moustache. The name was originally derived from Old English words gernon or grenon, which meant moustache.

Early Origins of the Gernant family

The surname Gernant was first found in Montfiquet, in the district of Bayeux. Robert de Guernon accompanied the William the Conqueror at Hastings in 1066 A.D. Robert held estates in Herefordshire, Suffolk, and a great barony in Essex. Another early notable of the family was Ranulf II (also known as Ranulf de Gernon) (1099-1153), a Norman-born, potentate who inherited the honour of the palatine county of Chester. He claimed descent from the Counts of Bessin in Normandy.

Thoydon-Garnon in Essex was and ancient homestead of the family. "The parish takes the adjunct to its name from the family of Gernon, who were anciently its proprietors." [1] Great and Little Birch in Essex was an ancient family seat. "Birch Castle was fortified against Henry III. by Sir Ralph Gernon, then lord of the manor: there are still some remains." [1]

Early History of the Gernant family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gernant research. Another 163 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1066, 1170 and 1273 are included under the topic Early Gernant History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gernant Spelling Variations

A multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Garnon, Garnons, Gernan, Gernon, Gernen, Garnham and many more.

Early Notables of the Gernant family

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

Ireland Migration of the Gernant family to Ireland

Some of the Gernant family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 53 words (4 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 Gernant family

Many English families left England, to avoid the chaos of their homeland and migrated to the many British colonies abroad. Although the conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and some travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute, once in the colonies, many of the families prospered and made valuable contributions to the cultures of what would become the United States and Canada. Research into the origins of individual families in North America has revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Gernant or a variant listed above: Roger Garnons, who sailed to America in 1658; Judith Garnon to America in 1763; William Garnons to America in 1770; and Richard Gernon to Philadelphia in 1797..



The Gernant 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: Nid cyfoeth
Motto Translation: Not wealth, but contentment.(Welsh.


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


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