Show ContentsJoynes History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Joynes family

The surname Joynes was first found in Carmarthenshire (Welsh: Sir Gaerfyrddin), located in Southwest Wales, one of thirteen historic counties and presently one of the principal area in Wales, where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Joynes family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Joynes research. Another 115 words (8 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Joynes History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Joynes Spelling Variations

Compared to other ancient cultures found in the British Isles, the number of Welsh surnames are relatively few, but there are an inordinately large number of spelling variations. These spelling variations began almost as soon as surname usage became common. People could not specify how to spell their own names leaving the specific recording up to the individual scribe or priest. Those recorders would then spell the names as they heard them, causing many different variations. Later, many Welsh names were recorded in English. This transliteration process was extremely imprecise since the Brythonic Celtic language of the Welsh used many sounds the English language was not accustomed to. Finally, some variations occurred by the individual's design: a branch loyalty within a family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations were indicated by spelling variations of one's name. The Joynes name over the years has been spelled Johnes, Johns, John, Johne and others.

Early Notables of the Joynes family

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


United States Joynes migration to the United States +

Many people from Wales joined the general migration to North America in the 19th and 20th centuries, searching for land, work, and freedom. Like the many other immigrants from the British Isles, they made a significant contribution to the development of Canada and the United States. The Welsh and their descendents added a rich cultural tradition to the newly developed towns, cities, and villages. An investigation of the immigration and passenger lists has revealed a number of people bearing the name Joynes:

Joynes Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • F Z Joynes, who arrived in Arkansas in 1869 1

Contemporary Notables of the name Joynes (post 1700) +

  • Robert Joynes (b. 1953), American professional baseball player
  • William T. Joynes (b. 1817), Virginia Supreme Court justice
  • William T. Joynes, American politician, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, 1850-53 2
  • Edward O. Joynes, American politician, Candidate for Pennsylvania State House of Representatives from Allegheny County 11th District, 1926 2
  • Nathan Joynes (b. 1985), English footballer
  • Richard Albert "Dickie" Joynes (1877-1949), English professional footballer

Hillsborough disaster
  • Nicholas Peter Joynes (1961-1989), English draughtsman who was attending the FA Cup semi-final at Hillsborough Stadium, in Sheffield, Yorkshire when the stand allocated area became overcrowded and 96 people were crushed in what became known as the Hillsborough disaster and he died from his injuries 3


The Joynes 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: Deus pascit corvos
Motto Translation: God feeds the ravens.


  1. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  2. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 7) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  3. Hillsborough Victims (retreived 21st March 2021). Retreived from https://metro.co.uk/2019/04/15/remembering-96-victims-hillsborough-disaster-30-years-9206566/


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