Show ContentsPain History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Pain family name dates back to 1066 when the Norman Conquest of England introduced a plethora of new names and words into Britain. It comes from an early member of the family who was a person who lives in the country or a person who's religious beliefs are somewhat suspect. Checking further we found the name was derived from the Old English word paien, which was originally derived from the Latin word paganus, meaning rustic or countryman. It later also came to mean heathen and was often given to children whose baptism was delayed or, to adults whose religious zeal was not what the standards of the day indicated it should have been.

Conversely, many believe that the family claim Norman descent as in "Paganus was a Norman personal name, whence the modern Payne and Paine, as well as the more ancient Paganel and Paynel. William the Conqueror was assisted in his invasion, by several persons so designated, and in [the] Domesday Book we find among his tenants in capite, or chief holders of land, the names of Ralph Paganel and Edmund filius Pagani, i.e., Fitz-Payne. Indeed during the Norman dynasty, Paganus was one of the most common names in England." 1

Early Origins of the Pain family

The surname Pain was first found in Somerset where the aforementioned Edmund filius Pagen (Pagani) 2 was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086. The same source also lists the aforementioned Ralph Paganel as Radulfus Paganus, again in Somerset. 2

Almost one hundred years later, Reginaldus filius Pain was listed as a Knights Templar in 1185 in Lincolnshire. The Pipe Rolls of Worcestershire list John Pane in 1190 and the Pipe Rolls of Hampshire list Robert Pain in 1200. Payn de Weston was listed in the Assize Rolls of Somerset in 1268. 3

Sir John Paynell of Drax, from Yorkshire was summoned to Parliament as a Baron from the 29th of December 1299 to the 25th of August 1318. 4 The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 have numerous entries as a forename and surname including: Payne de Stantin in Norfolk; Robert filius Payn in Huntingdonshire; and Gilbert Payn in Essex. 5

The parish of Stourpain in Dorset "derives its name from its situation near the river Stour, which runs on the west and south, and from one of its earliest proprietors, named Paine." 6 "A priory of Black canons, in honour of St. James, was founded here [in Warter in the East Riding of Yorkshire] in 1132, by Geoffry Fitz-Pain." 6

"It is however, remarkable that a colony of Paynes has been established across the Scottish border in Dumfriesshire. " 7

Early History of the Pain family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Pain research. Another 176 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1455, 1489, 1506, 1532, 1582, 1630, 1632, 1652, 1695, 1698, 1704, 1710, 1713, 1715, 1717, 1789 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Pain History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pain Spelling Variations

A multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Payne, Paine, Paynell, Pane, Pain and others.

Early Notables of the Pain family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

  • Saint John Paine (1532-1582), English Catholic priest and martyr
  • Elizabeth Pain (c. 1652-1704), sometimes spelled Payne, English spinster in Boston who was brought to trial after the death of her child, she was acquitted of the murder charge but found guilty of neg...
  • James Paine (1717-1789), an English architect

Pain Ranking

In France, the name Pain is the 923rd most popular surname with an estimated 5,615 people with that name. 8

Migration of the Pain family to Ireland

Some of the Pain family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 142 words (10 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Pain migration to the United States +

Many English families left England, to avoid the chaos of their homeland and migrated to the many British colonies abroad. Although the conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and some travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute, once in the colonies, many of the families prospered and made valuable contributions to the cultures of what would become the United States and Canada. Research into the origins of individual families in North America has revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Pain or a variant listed above:

Pain Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Elizabeth Pain, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1712 9
  • John Pain, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 9
  • Robert Pain, who landed in Virginia in 1717 9
Pain Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Adam Pain, who arrived in St Clair County, Illinois in 1864 9

Pain migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Pain Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century
  • Marin Pain (Pin) of Normandy, who married Olive Morin in France en 1643, and arrived in Canada with his family around 1660
  • Jean Pain, son of Marin and Olive, who married Jeanne Massé, daughter of Pierre and Marie, in Quebec on 29th December 1670 10
  • Jean-Baptiste Pain, son of Marin and Olive, who married Marie-Geneviève Trud, daughter of Mathurin and Marguerite, in Quebec on 20th February 1686 10
Pain Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • François Pain, son of Jean-Baptiste and Marie-Geneviève, who married Marie-Anne Bisson, daughter of Joseph and Marie-Madeleine, in Sainte-Foy, Quebec on 9th February 1722 10
  • Joseph Pain, son of Jean-Baptiste and Marie-Geneviève, who married Marguerite Drapeau, daughter of Jean-Baptiste and Périnne, in Quebec on 11th October 1729 10
  • Jean Pain, son of Jean and Marie, who married Marie-Josephte Brisson, daughter of Jean and Catherine, in Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pocatière, Quebec on 3rd February 1732 10
  • Louis-Marie Pain, son of Jean-Baptiste and Geneviève, who married Jean-Baptiste and Geneviève, daughter of Guillaume and Louise-Catherine, in Quebec on 21st November 1740 10
  • Jean Pain, son of Jean and Marie, who married Marie-Basilisse Saint-Pierre, daughter of Ignace and Madeleine, in Saint-Roch, Quebec on 30th June 1745 10
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Pain migration to Australia +

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

Pain Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • George Pain, English convict from Wiltshire, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on April 1st, 1822, settling in New South Wales, Australia 11
  • Mr. William Pain, (Pyne), English convict who was convicted in Devon, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Chapman" on 12th April 1826, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 12
  • Mr. Charles Pain, British Convict who was convicted in Southampton, Hampshire, England for life for machine breaking, transported aboard the "Eleanor" on 26th June 1831, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13
  • Mr. George Pain, English convict who was convicted in Bristol, England for life, transported aboard the "Exmouth" on 3rd March 1831, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
  • Thomas Pain, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Navarino" in 1837 15
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Pain 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:

Pain Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mrs. Matilda Pain, (b. 1825), aged 37, English settler, from Hampshire travelling from London aboard the ship "Queen of Mersey" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, Southland, South Island, New Zealand on 20th October 1862 16
  • Mr. James T. Pain, (b. 1827), aged 35, English farmer, from Hampshire travelling from London aboard the ship "Queen of Mersey" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, Southland, South Island, New Zealand on 20th October 1862 16
  • Mr. John Pain, (b. 1837), aged 25, English carpenter, from Hampshire travelling from London aboard the ship "Queen of Mersey" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, Southland, South Island, New Zealand on 20th October 1862 16
  • Miss Martha Pain, (b. 1844), aged 18, English domestic servant, from Hampshire travelling from London aboard the ship "Queen of Mersey" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, Southland, South Island, New Zealand on 20th October 1862 16
  • Miss Matilda Pain, (b. 1844), aged 18, English domestic servant, from Hampshire travelling from London aboard the ship "Queen of Mersey" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, Southland, South Island, New Zealand on 20th October 1862 16
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Pain (post 1700) +

  • Jeff Pain (b. 1970), American-born, Canadian two-time gold and silver medalist skeleton racer
  • Angela Joyce Pain (1962-1988), English marathon runner at the 1988 Summer Olympics

Prince of Wales colliery
  • Mr. George Pain (b. 1864), Welsh coal miner who was working at the Prince of Wales colliery in Abercarn, Wales on the 11th September 1878 when there was a coal mine explosion; he died 17
RMS Titanic
  • Dr. Alfred "Alf" Pain (d. 1912), aged 23, Canadian Second Class passenger from Hamilton, Ontario who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 18
Senghenydd colliery
  • Mr. William Hadley Pain (b. 1879), Welsh coal miner from Cardiff, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died 19


The Pain 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: Malo mori quam foedari
Motto Translation: I would rather die than be disgraced.


  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. 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. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
  5. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  6. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  7. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  8. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  9. 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)
  10. Internoscia, Arthur E., and Claire Chevrier. Dictionnaire National des Canadiens Français 1608-1760. Vol. 2, Institut Drouin, 1958.
  11. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Asia 1 voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1822 with 190 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1822
  12. Convict Records of Australia. Retreived 28th January 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/chapman
  13. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 9th February 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eleanor
  14. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th May 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/exmouth
  15. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) NAVARINO 1837. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1837Navarino.htm
  16. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  17. Entombed in flood and flame (retrieved 3rd August 2021). Retrieved from https://web.archive.org/web/20120603025705/http://www.crosskeys.me.uk/history/prince.htm
  18. Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html
  19. Universal Colliery Senghenydd 1913 disaster retrieved 21st September 2019, retrieved from http://www.welshcoalmines.co.uk/deathrolls/SenghenyddDead1913.htm


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