Show ContentsPenno History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The distinguished surname Penno originated in an area of Italy, known as the Papal States. Although people were originally known only by a single name, it became necessary for people to adapt a second name to identify themselves as populations grew and travel became more frequent. The process of adopting fixed hereditary surnames was not complete until the modern era, but the use of hereditary family names in Italy began in the 10th and 11th centuries. Italian hereditary surnames were developed according to fairly general principles and they are characterized by a profusion of derivatives coined from given names. Although the most traditional type of family name found in the region of the Papal States is the patronymic surname, which is derived from the father's given name, local surnames are also found. Local names, which are the least frequent of the major types of surnames found in Italy, are derived from a place-name where the original bearer once resided or held land. Often Italian local surnames bore the prefix "di," which signifies emigration from one place to another, but does not necessarily denote nobility. The Penno family lived in one of several places in Italy named Penna.

Early Origins of the Penno family

The surname Penno was first found in 1189, when Alessio Penna was created Cardinal by Pope Clemente III.

Early History of the Penno family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Penno research. The years 1325, 1364, 1390, 1475, 1680, 1689 and 1745 are included under the topic Early Penno History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Penno Spelling Variations

Italian surnames come in far more variations than the names of most other nationalities. Regional traditions and dialects are a decisive factor in this characteristic. For example, northern names tend to end in "o", while southern in "i". Also important, but not unique to Italy, was the fact that before dictionaries and the printing press most scribes simply spelled words according to their sounds. The predictable result was an enormous number of spelling variations. The recorded spellings of Penno include Penna, Penni, Pa Penna, Papenna, Penne, Penella, Pennelli, Penniello, Pennacchi, Pennario, Pennarella, Pennarelli, Pennarola, Pennetta, Pennetti, Pennino, Pennini, Pennone, Pennoni, Pennacci, Pennazzi, Pennese and many more.

Early Notables of the Penno family

Prominent among members of the family was Francesco Penna, Senator of Rome in 1364; Girolamo Pennacchi, a 15th century painter from Treviso whose most famous work stands in the Brera Gallery in Milan and is entitled "Pietà." Other works can be seen in Venice and Treviso. Lucas de Penna (Luca da Penne, Luca da Penna, Luca De Penna) (ca.1325-ca.1390), was a Neopolitan jurist and a judge of the Magna Curia at Naples. Pier Maria Pennacchi was also a painter in Treviso around 1475 with works today in Venice. Also at this time was...
Another 92 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Penno Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Australia Penno migration to Australia +

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

Penno Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Robert Penno, aged 21, a farm labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1858 aboard the ship "Melbourne"
  • Henry Penno, aged 49, a miller, who arrived in South Australia in 1859 aboard the ship "Lady Ann"
  • Martha Penno, aged 17, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1859 aboard the ship "Lady Ann"
  • Mary Penno, aged 17, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1859 aboard the ship "Lady Ann"
  • Mr. Thomas Penno, (b. 1846), aged 38, Cornish farm labourer travelling aboard the ship "SS Abergeldie" arriving in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on 23rd December 1884 1
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Penno 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:

Penno Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. W. M. Penno, (b. 1859), aged 19, Cornish farm labourer departing on 29th August 1878 aboard the ship "Waitara" going to Bluff or Otago, New Zealand arriving in port on 3rd December 1878 2


  1. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 19). Emigrants to Australia NSW 1860 -88 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/nsw_passenger_lists_1860_88.pdf
  2. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to other ports, 1872 - 84 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/new_zealand_assisted.pdf


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