Quennell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
France

Early Origins of the Quennell family

The surname Quennell was first found in Lincolnshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. The Saxon influence of English history diminished after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The language of the courts was French for the next three centuries and the Norman ambience prevailed. But Saxon surnames survived and the family name was first referenced in the 13th century when Quenilda held estates in that shire in 1221.

Early History of the Quennell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Quennell research. Another 163 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1455, 1487, 1510, 1561 and 1600 are included under the topic Early Quennell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Quennell Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Quennell has been recorded under many different variations, including Quennell, Quenell, Quinell, Quinel, Quennel, Quenill, Quennill, Gwynell, Qynell, Qwynell, Qwinnell, Guinell and many more.

Early Notables of the Quennell family

Distinguished members of the family include

the Quennell family ofSurrey

Quennell migration to the United States +

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Quennell or a variant listed above:

Quennell Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Elizabeth Quennell, who settled in America in 1683

Quennell migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Quennell Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Edward Quennell, who settled in Ontario in 1871

Contemporary Notables of the name Quennell (post 1700) +

Charles Henry Bourne Quennell (1872-1935), English architect, designer, illustrator and writer, father of Joan Quennell
Peter Courtney Quennell CBE (1905-1993), English biographer, literary historian, editor, essayist, poet, critic and editor of "History Today"
Marjorie Courtney Quennell (1884-1972), British historian, illustrator and museum curator, wife of Charles Henry Bourne Quennell
Frank Quennell (b. 1956), Canadian politician, New Democratic Party Assembly Member for Saskatoon Meewasin (2003-2011)
Joan Mary Quennell (1923-2006), British Conservative Member of Parliament for Petersfield (1960-1974)