Show ContentsMagnes History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Magnes family

The surname Magnes was first found in Shetland where they held a family seat in their territories in the Orkneys. The Viking influence of northern Scotland developed as a stepping stone to Iceland from Scandinavia. Many Viking expeditions were started from the Orkneys and the northern tip. Rollo, first Duke of Normandy, started his conquest of that part of France as an expeditionary from here. Hugo Magnus was found at 1114. 1 Later the name was found in Cortance, Aberdeen in the 17th century.

Early History of the Magnes family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Magnes research. Another 137 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1047, 1420, 1510 and 1600 are included under the topic Early Magnes History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Magnes Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Magnus, Manus, MacVanish, Magnusson, Magnuson, Magnos, Magnes, Magnusson, Magnuss, MacVinish, McWeynish and many more.

Early Notables of the Magnes family

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

Migration of the Magnes family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: the name represented in many forms and recorded from the mid 17th century in the great migration from Europe. Migrants settled in the eastern seaboard from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands..



  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)


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