Meynell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The name Meynell arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Meynell family lived in De Grente-mesnil, from Grente-mesnil (now Grandmesnil) in the arrondissement of Lisieux, Normandy.

"Hugh de Grente-mesnil, a brave Souidler," fought stoutly at Hastings, and "was that day in great peril: his horse ran away with him, so that he was near falling, for in leaping over a bush the bridle rein broke, and the horse plunged forward. The English seeing him ran to meet him with their hatchets raised, but the horse took fright, and turning quickly round brought him safe back again." 1

"Two years after the battle he was appointed, with Odo, Bishop of Bayeux, William Fitz Osbern, and others, one of the Justiciary of England during the King's absence in Normandy. He was Viscount of Leicestershire and Hampshire, and according to Domesday, held one hundred and four Lordships, of which two-thirds, with the Honour of Hinckley-in right whereof he was Lord High Steward of England-were in Leicestershire. He lived to be a very old man, and in 1094, 'being grown aged and infirm, he took upon him the habit of a Monk; and within six days afterwards departed this life, whereupon Bernard and David, two Monks of St. Ebrulfe's ' (a Norman monastery he had restored and endowed), 'having seasoned his Corps with Salt, and wrapped it in an Hide, conveyed it to Normandy, where it was honourably buried on the South side of their Chapter-house.' " 2

Early Origins of the Meynell family

The surname Meynell was first found in Derbyshire during the reign of Henry II where "one of the most ancient possessions was Langley-Maynell, in that county, an estate which remained in the family till the end of the fourteenth century. A younger son at this period was seated at Yeaveley, his grandson at Willington." 3

Confirming this early origin, another source notes: "The manor took its name of Meynell from an ancient family who possessed it so early as the reign of Edward III. and from whom it passed, by successive female heirs." 4

But in 1669, Isaac Meynell, citizen of London bought the manor back from William Cavendish, Duke of Newcastle, only to have his only daughter and heiress convey the lands to the Cecils who again sold the lands back to another branch of the family of Meynell. By far the strongest branch of the family was found later in Staffordshire at Hore-Cross. 5

The parish of Sowerby in the North Riding of Yorkshire was home to yet another branch of the family. "This place, at an early period, was the property of the Lascelles family, who in the reign of Elizabeth granted it to the Meynells, whose descendant Thomas Meynell, Esq., is now lord of the manor." 4

Early History of the Meynell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Meynell research. Another 299 words (21 lines of text) covering the years 1295, 1322 and 1336 are included under the topic Early Meynell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Meynell Spelling Variations

Anglo-Norman names are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. When the Normans became the ruling people of England in the 11th century, they introduced a new language into a society where the main languages of Old and later Middle English had no definite spelling rules. These languages were more often spoken than written, so they blended freely with one another. Contributing to this mixing of tongues was the fact that medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, ensuring that a person's name would appear differently in nearly every document in which it was recorded. The name has been spelled Meynell, Meynill, Meynil, Menel, Mannell, Maynell, Maynall and many more.

Early Notables of the Meynell family

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

Meynell migration to the United States +

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that plagued their homeland made the frontiers of the New World an attractive prospect. Thousands migrated, aboard cramped disease-ridden ships. They arrived sick, poor, and hungry, but were welcomed in many cases with far greater opportunity than at home in England. Many of these hardy settlers went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Among early immigrants bearing the name Meynell or a variant listed above were:

Meynell Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Christopher Meynell, who arrived in America in 1678

Meynell Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Charles Meynell, who settled in Philadelphia in 1758

Meynell Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

John Meynell, aged 40, originally from Newcastle, England, arrived in New York in 1907 aboard the ship "Teutonic" from Liverpool, England 6
Emma Meynell, aged 28, originally from London, England, arrived in New York in 1907 aboard the ship "Mauretania" from Liverpool, England 6
Clyde Meynell, aged 45, originally from London, England, arrived in New York in 1913 aboard the ship "Mauretania" from Liverpool, England 6
Ethell Meynell, aged 41, originally from London, England, arrived in New York in 1914 aboard the ship "Adriatic" from Liverpool, England 6
Francis H.L. Meynell, aged 38, originally from Burton on Trent, England, arrived in New York in 1919 aboard the ship "Adriatic" from Liverpool, England 6
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Meynell migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Meynell Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Francis Lewis Meynell, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Persia" in 1860
Miss Mary Elizabeth Meynell (Mannel), (b. 1862), aged Infant, English settler, from Yorkshire travelling from London aboard the ship "Queen of Mersey" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, Southland, South Island, New Zealand on 20th October 1862 7
Mrs. Diana Meynell (Mannel), (b. 1832), aged 30, English settler, from Yorkshire travelling from London aboard the ship "Queen of Mersey" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, Southland, South Island, New Zealand on 20th October 1862 7
Mr. Newrick Meynell (Mannel), (b. 1833), aged 29, English labourer, from Yorkshire travelling from London aboard the ship "Queen of Mersey" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, Southland, South Island, New Zealand on 20th October 1862 7
Mr. Robert Meynell (Mannel), (b. 1853), aged 9, English settler, from Yorkshire travelling from London aboard the ship "Queen of Mersey" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, Southland, South Island, New Zealand on 20th October 1862 7

Contemporary Notables of the name Meynell (post 1700) +

Hugo Anthony Meynell (1936-2021), English academic and author, born half a year after the death of his father, Captain Godfrey Meynell, member of the Royal Society of Canada in 1993
Viola Meynell (1885-1956), birth name of Mrs. Dallyn, an English writer, novelist and poet, daughter of Wilfrid Meynell and Alice Thompson Meynell
Rhys Meynell (b. 1988), English professional footballer who plays for Frickley Athletic
Hugo Meynell (1735-1808), English fox hunter, generally regarded as the father of modern fox hunting, became Master of Fox Hounds for the Quorn Hunt in Leicestershire in 1753
Alice Christiana Gertrude Thompson Meynell (1847-1922), née Thompson, an English writer, editor, critic, poet and suffragist, wife of Wilfrid Meynell
Godfrey Meynell VC, MC (1904-1935), English Army officer, posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross; his widow received the award during a ceremony at Buckingham Palace in July 1936
Wilfrid Meynell (1852-1948), who sometimes wrote under the pseudonym John Oldcastle, a British Quaker newspaper publisher and editor, grandson of Samuel Tuke
Sir Francis Meredith Wilfrid Meynell (1891-1975), British poet and printer son of Wilfrid Meynell and Alice Meynell, founder of The Nonesuch Press
Sir John Meynell Alleyne (1889-1983), 4th Baronet of Four Hills, Barbados
Sir Hugo Meynell FitzHerbert (1872-1934), 6th Baronet of Tissington

The Meynell 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 non reliquit memoriam humilium
Motto Translation: God hath not forgotten the humble.

Citations +

Wace, Robert, Roman de Brut England: 1155. Digital
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
Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html