Show ContentsPennells History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Pennells family

The surname Pennells was first found in the Domesday Book of 1086 where Ralph Pinel held a barony in Essex and Suffolk. 1 2

"It is impossible to decide to which of the Norman families of the name belonged. Several of the name are found in the Norman Exchequer Rolls of 1180-98. Ralph Pinel held four fees in 1165 of the Earl of Essex in Essex, and some land in Berkshire under Fitz Robert and Fitz Peter, another of whose tenants was Anchetil Pinel. There is some hint of a previous scandal in the family. In the Pipe Roll of 12 John, " Robert Vanx owes five best palfreys, that the King may be silent regarding Henry Pinel's wife." The Oxfordshire fee of Warin Pinel (then deceased) is spoken of in the Testa de Nevill; 3 and in 1278, Roger Pinel, Robert Pinel's widow, and Margaret, daughter of William Pinel, were all landowners in the county. Contemporary with them were Matthew Pinel of Suffolk, his brother Hugh, and Henry Pinel of Huntingdonshire." 4

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included: John Pinel, Essex; Henry Pinel, Huntingdonshire; Roger Pinel, Oxfordshire; and Mathew Pinel, Suffolk. 5

Early History of the Pennells family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Pennells research. Another 115 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1455, 1487 and 1867 are included under the topic Early Pennells History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pennells Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Pennell, Pennel, Penell, Pennall, Pennells, Pennalls, Penal and many more.

Early Notables of the Pennells family

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


New Zealand Pennells 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:

Pennells Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Richard Pennells, aged 22, a farmer, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Fifeshire" in 1842 6
  • Elizabeth Pennells, aged 22, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Fifeshire" in 1842 6
  • William Pennells, aged 27, a farmer, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Fifeshire" in 1842 6
  • Ann Pennells, aged 27, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Fifeshire" in 1842 6
  • Mary Pennells, aged 7, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Fifeshire" in 1842 6
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


  1. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. Testa de Nevill or "Liber Feodorum" or "Book of Fees," thought to have been written by Ralph de Nevill, for King John (1199–1216)
  4. Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 3 of 3
  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. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 4th November 2011). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html


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