Januaray History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Early Origins of the Januaray family

The surname Januaray was first found in Kent, where Gilbert Genewy was listed in the Feet of Fines for 1218-1219. Years later, with other early spellings, we found Peter de Geneva 1249, de Geneweye in the Feet of Fines for Herefordshire in 1251. 1

The name was likely a nickname for someone from Genoa. "The Genoese traded much with England, both in silks and spices." 2 3

"As late as the 16th cent. a native of Genoa was called in England a Jan(e)way." 4

Early History of the Januaray family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Januaray research. Another 79 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1562, 1576, 1628, 1633, 1636, 1638, 1657, 1670, 1674, 1715, 1717 and 1787 are included under the topic Early Januaray History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Januaray Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Januaray include Genewy, Genway, Gannaway, Jennaway, Janaway, January, Jennery, Jeneway, Janoway, Janeway, Janaway and many more.

Early Notables of the Januaray family

Distinguished members of the family include James Janeway (1636-1674), a Puritan minister and children's author, second in popularity only to John Bunyan. He was the fourth son of William Janeway, and younger brother of John Janeway [q. v.], was born about the end of 1636 at...
Another 46 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Januaray Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Januaray family

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Januaray were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: settlers, who arrived along the eastern seaboard, from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands.

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print