Macgrannel History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsEtymology of MacgrannelWhat does the name Macgrannel mean? Today's generation of the Macgrannel family bears a name that was brought to England by the wave of emigration that was started by the Norman Conquest of 1066. It comes from the Norman given name Reginald or Regenweald, meaning brave councilor, which is an alteration of the Old French name Reinold. "Several tenants in chief in Domesday [Book] are called Rainaldus. Reynell, Reynard, Reynardson, Rennal." 1 "Its area of distribution is confined, for the most part, to the central part of England extending to the eastern counties between the Wash and the Thames. It is rare or absent in the south coast counties, excluding Cornwall, and excepting a scanty representation in Lancashire it does not occur north of a line drawn from the Humber to the Mersey. Shropshire, Norfolk, Wilts, and Cornwall are its principal homes." 2 Early Origins of the Macgrannel familyThe surname Macgrannel was first found in Somerset where they were granted lands by William the Conqueror after the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. Early records of the name mention Willemus filius Raunaldi who was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086. Walter Reynolds (died 1327) was Bishop of Worcester, Archbishop of Canterbury (1313-1327), Lord High Treasurer and Lord Chancellor. 3 "The manor of Trebartha [in Cornwall] is said to have belonged to Walter Reynell, a knight of Gascony, so early as the reign of Richard I. at which time he was Castellan of Launceston." 4 The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed John Reynold, Cambridgeshire; Roger filius Reynald, Oxfordshire; and William filius Reynaud, Cambridgeshire. And the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed Rainaldus filius Willelmi; and Ricardus Raynoldson. 5 Early History of the Macgrannel familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Macgrannel research. Another 137 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1191, 1194, 1198, 1313, 1327, 1544, 1549, 1588, 1589, 1594, 1599, 1607, 1612, 1624, 1625, 1636, 1655, 1657, 1663, 1676 and 1690 are included under the topic Early Macgrannel History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Macgrannel Spelling VariationsNorman surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are largely due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England, as well as the official court languages of Latin and French, also had pronounced influences on the spelling of surnames. Since medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings. The name has been spelled Reynell, Reynolds, Reynold, Reynalds, Reynell, Renaud, Renaut, Renouf, Rennard, Renals, Rennell, Rennels and many more. Early Notables of the Macgrannel familyOutstanding amongst the family at this time was Walter Reynolds (d. 1327) the son of a Windsor baker, who became a favorite of King Edward II, Archbishop of Canterbury (1313-1327); John Reynolds (c. 1588-c. 1655), an English merchant and writer from Exeter, produced a series of violent stories around marriage, adultery and murder as well as some political writings that caused him to be imprisoned.John Reynolds or Rainolds (1549-1607), was English president of Corpus Christi College, Oxford, and dean of Lincoln, born at Pinhoe, near Exeter. William Reinolds (c. 1544-1594), was an English Roman Catholic divine, second son of Richard Rainolds... Migration of the Macgrannel family to IrelandSome of the Macgrannel family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. Migration of the Macgrannel familyMany English families emigrated to North American colonies in order to escape the political chaos in Britain at this time. Unfortunately, many English families made the trip to the New World under extremely harsh conditions. Overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the stormy Atlantic. Despite these hardships, many of the families prospered and went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the United States and Canada. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the name Macgrannel or a variant listed above: Henry, Samuel, Thomas Reynold settled in Barbados in 1688; Christopher Reynolds settled in Virginia in 1622; Nathaniel Reynold settled in Salem in 1630.
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: Jus meum tuebor Motto Translation: I will defend my right.
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