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Show ContentsMenearde History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
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Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

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The ancestors of the Menearde family migrated to England following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The surname Menearde is based on the Germanic personal name Mainard, which is composed of the elements magin, which means strength, and hard, which means hardy, brave or strong. 1

Two sources note entries in the Domesday Book of 1086. 2 The first notes that " 'Mainardus homo Rogeri Pictavensis,' is mentioned in the Domesday as an under-tenant in Essex and Lincolnshire; and either he or another of the name held Wilts, Hants, and Norfolk, before the Conquest. The early notices of the name are scanty. 'In the hydarium of Henry III. Maynard was certified to hold one hide and half in 'Cherleton' (Charlton), but as the paramountcy of the estate is withheld, no clue is furnished for tracing it to the Domesday lord." 3

The second notes Meinardus uigil in Norfolk in the Domesday Book. 4 Presumably both entries are related but translations from ancient Latin to English are not consistent.

Early Origins of the Menearde family

The surname Menearde was first found in Suffolk at Hoxne, a parish, and the head of a union, in the hundred of Hoxne. "Hoxne Hall, for many generations the residence of the Maynard family. In the north aisle [of the church] is a monument, with a group of figures finely sculptured in marble, to the memory of Sir Thomas Maynard, erected in 1742, by Christopher Stanley, Esq. A school, now in union with the National Society, was founded and endowed by Lord Maynard." 5

"The pedigree of the Viscounts Maynard commences in the 14th century with John Mainard of Axminster in Devonshire, who served in France under the Black Prince, and was appointed Constable of Brest in 1352. Sixth in descent from him we find another John Maynard, sitting in Queen Mary's first Parliament as Burgess for St. Albans, and numbered among thirty-nine stout Protestants who were indicted in the King's Bench for absenting themselves from the House rather than join in accepting the Pope's authority in the realm." 3

Early record were also found in Scotland. "Bishop Robert was about to set the municipal machinery of St. Andrews in motion (c. 1144) he obtained from the king the services of Mainard, a burgess of Berwick: 'Be it known that with the licence of David our king, I have constituted St. Andrews a burgh and that with the king's consent I have made Mainard the Fleming (Matnardum Flandrensem) provost of this burgh'. Robert Mainard was one of the witnesses to a charter by John de Dundemor to the Priory of May in 1260." 6

Early History of the Menearde family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Menearde research. Another 98 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1180, 1577, 1589, 1602, 1611, 1614, 1623, 1635, 1638, 1640, 1641, 1642, 1647, 1653, 1657, 1660, 1662, 1663, 1679, 1684, 1685, 1690, 1699, 1718, 1739, 1740, 1751, 1763, 1769 and 1775 are included under the topic Early Menearde History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Menearde Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Menearde include Maynard, Mainard and others.

Early Notables of the Menearde family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was William Maynard, 1st Baron Maynard (c.1589-1640), an English politician, Lord Lieutenant of Essex (1635-1640), Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire (1640) and Custos Rotulorum of Essex in 1640; William Maynard, 2nd Baron Maynard (1623-1699); Banastre Maynard, 3rd Baron Maynard (c 1642-1718), an English politician, Member of Parliament for Essex (1663-1679); Sir William Maynard, 1st Baronet (1641-1685), an English...
Another 63 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Menearde Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Menearde family to Ireland

Some of the Menearde family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Menearde family

In England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Meneardes to arrive on North American shores: Kingsmill Maynard settled in Virginia in 1663; James Maynard was banished from the west of England to Barbados in 1685; Nicholas Maynard settled with his wife and five children and servants in Barbados in 1680.

The Menearde 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: Manus justa nardus
Motto Translation: A just hand is a precious ointment.
  1. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 2 of 3
  4. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  5. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  6. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
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