Show ContentsMannon History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Mannon was spawned by the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture that ruled a majority of Britain. It comes from the Old English personal name Manning. According to some experts, this name is derived from the Old Norse word manningi, which means a valiant man. 1 Another source claims that the surname was an "ancient personal name." 2 However, one source claims that name was an ancient Norman name that must have moved to England at some point. Lambert Maignon was listed in Normandy in 1180 and a few years later, William, Ansketel le Maignen was also found in Normandy 1180-1185. 3

Early Origins of the Mannon family

The surname Mannon was first found in Suffolk and later in various counties throughout England. "The Mannings were, in the 13th century, represented by the Manings in Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Hunts, Lincolnshire, etc. Now they have their principal homes in Essex and Devon, and are also established in Cheshire, Northamptonshire, and Gloucestershire." 4

"The oldest record of the family occurs in Domesday [Book] as Mannig (Suffolk)" 1 The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list: Henry Maninge in Cambridgeshire; and Nicholas Mannyng in Kent. Later the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 list Johannes Mannyng and Nora Mannyng. 1

Mannings Heath is a village in the Horsham District of West Sussex, England.

Early History of the Mannon family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Mannon research. Another 81 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1300, 1630 and 1711 are included under the topic Early Mannon History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mannon Spelling Variations

Mannon 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 Mannon have been found, including Manning, Maning, Mannings and others.

Early Notables of the Mannon family

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

Migration of the Mannon family to Ireland

Some of the Mannon family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 35 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Mannon migration to the United States +

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 Mannons to arrive on North American shores:

Mannon Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Mary Mannon, who settled in New England in 1721

Mannon migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Mannon Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Mick Mannon, aged 30, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Ann & Mary" from Cork, Ireland

Mannon migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Mannon Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Miss Mary Mannon, English convict who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Elizabeth" on 20th June 1836, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 5
  • Mary Mannon, aged 19, a farm servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Flora" 6
  • Patrick Mannon, aged 27, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1858 aboard the ship "Stamboul"
  • William Mannon, aged 16, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1858 aboard the ship "Stamboul"
  • Margaret Mannon, aged 18, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1858 aboard the ship "Stamboul"

Contemporary Notables of the name Mannon (post 1700) +

  • James M. Mannon Ph.D., American author and Sociology professor at DePauw University in Indiana
  • Charles McFerson Mannon (b. 1876), American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from California, 1916 (alternate), 1940 7


The Mannon 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: Esse quam videri
Motto Translation: To be, rather than to seem.


  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
  4. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  5. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 11th March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elizabeth
  6. South Australian Register Monday 9th April 1855. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Flora 1855. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/flora1855.shtml
  7. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 26) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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