Show ContentsNunns History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Nunns surname derives from the Old English word "nunne," in turn from the Latin "nonna," both of which mean a "Nun." As a name, it was likely originally a nickname for a pious person, or an occupational name for someone who worked at a convent.

Early Origins of the Nunns family

The surname Nunns was first found in Norfolk where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Early History of the Nunns family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Nunns research. Another 94 words (7 lines of text) covering the year 1514 is included under the topic Early Nunns History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Nunns Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Noon, Noone, Nunn, Nones, None, Nun and others.

Early Notables of the Nunns family

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

Ireland Migration of the Nunns family to Ireland

Some of the Nunns 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.


United States Nunns migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Nunns Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Robert Nunns, who arrived in New York in 1825 [1]
  • William Nunns, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1867 [1]

Contemporary Notables of the name Nunns (post 1700) +

  • Richard Anthony Nunns QSM (1945-2021), New Zealand Maori traditional instrumentalist of Pakeha heritage


The Nunns 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: Suaviter in modo, fortiter in re
Motto Translation: Gentle in manner, firm in act.


  1. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)


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