Jarnar History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The name Jarnar was spawned by the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture that ruled a majority of Britain. It comes from the baptismal name Garnier. 1 Baptismal names began to appear as surnames relatively late in the growth of the naming tradition. Alternatively, the name could have been derived from the Old French word "gerner," or "gernier" which means a "storehouse for corn" or "keeper of the granary." 2 3

However, we should point out to the reader that Bardsley disagrees with this latter in his reference: "It has nothing to do with a granary, as suggested by Lower." He claims that the name could have also been originally an occupational name as in "the gardener," which was corrupted to Gardner and later Garner. 1

Early Origins of the Jarnar family

The surname Jarnar was first found in Rutland where the first record was found in the original Latin form, Garnerius de Nugent who was listed there 1170-1183. Later Geoffre Gerner was listed in the Feet of Fines of Essex in 1272 and Willam del Gerner was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Lancashire in 1332. 2

Warner or Garnier (fl. 1106), was an early writer of homilies and a monk of Westminster. He was present at the translation of the relics of St. Withburga, 1106. 4

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 has only one listing of the family, Stephen Gemer who was listed as being in Lincolnshire at that time. The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 lists Johannes Garner. The Lancashire Wills at Richmond list: Christopher Gardiner, or Garner in 1584; John Gardiner, or Garner, of Aldingham in the same year; and Christopher Garner, of Much Urswicke in 1575. 1

Early History of the Jarnar family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Jarnar research. Another 71 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1170, 1280, 1592, 1624, 1645, 1646, 1674, 1690, 1754, 1769, 1789, 1839, 1868 and 1906 are included under the topic Early Jarnar History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Jarnar Spelling Variations

Jarnar has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Jarnar have been found, including Garner, Garnier, Gerner and others.

Early Notables of the Jarnar family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Adrian Garner, British sheriff who held the joint position of Sheriff of Nottingham, England from 1645 to 1646. Thomas Gardner (c. 1592-1674) was an Overseer of the "old planters" party of the Dorchester Company who landed in 1624 at Cape Ann to form a colony at what is now known as Gloucester. Thomas Gardner (1690-1769) was an English antiquary from Ombersley, Worcestershire who was particularly interested in Dunwich in Suffolk, a town mostly lost to coastal erosion, and published a history in 1754...
Another 91 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Jarnar Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Jarnar family

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Jarnars to arrive on North American shores: John Garner who settled in Virginia in 1637; with his wife Mary; Miller Garner settled in Barbados in 1679; Nicholas and Richard Garner settled in Virginia in 1637.

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print