Show ContentsJennes History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Jennes

What does the name Jennes mean?

In the late Middle Ages, French families adopted surnames by the thousands. Jennes appeared first in the former province of Anjou. It was originally a name for a poultry farmer. It is a southern French diminutive form of the surname Gelinier, which is derived from the Old French word "geline", which means "poultry" or "hens".

Early Origins of the Jennes family

The surname Jennes was first found in Anjou, a former county, duchy, and province centred on the city of Angers in the lower Loire Valley of western France.

By the 11th century the family were well established in the region of Anjou and several members were distinctive in their contributions toward the community in which they lived and their efforts were rewarded with lands, titles and letters patent confirming their nobility. Witnessing a donation made by the monks of Marmoutiers, Jean de Gennes, Lord of Gennes, is the first member of the family mentioned in 1095.

In 1144, Etienne de Gennes, Lord of La Motte de Gennes, married Anne de La Faucille and their son, Guillaume, became the Knight of La Motte de Gennes in 1188. Taking part in the Crusades of 1248, Etienne de Gennes, Knight and Lord of La Motte de Gennes, was sent, upon his return, as an Ambassador to the Duke of Bourgogne who authorized the addition of a gold fleur de lys on his Coat of Arms. 1

Early History of the Jennes family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Jennes research. Another 222 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1346, 1472, 1473, 1578, 1654 and 1730 are included under the topic Early Jennes History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Jennes Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Gennes, Jennes, Jenness, Genne, Jenne, Genes, Jenes, Des Gennes, Les Gennes, Les Jennes, Des Jennes and many more.

Early Notables of the Jennes family

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


Jennes migration to the United States +



Jennes Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Lewis Jennes who settled in Philadelphia in 1840
  • Lewis Jennes, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1840

Contemporary Notables of the name Jennes (post 1700) +

  • First Lieutenant Jarvis Jennes Offutt (1894-1918), American aviator from Omaha, Nebraska killed in World War I, eponym of Offutt Air Force Base


  1. Hozier, Charles D, and Antoine Bachelin-Delforenne. État présent De La Noblesse française (1883-1887): Contenant Le Distionnaire De La Noblesse Contemporaine Et Larmorial général De France, Dapres Les Manuscrits De Ch. D Hozier. Librairie Des Bibliophiles, 1884. Print.


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