Sydnay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The name Sydnay reached English shores for the first time with the ancestors of the Sydnay family as they migrated following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Sydnay family lived in St Denis, Normandy. 1 One noted author agrees with this generally accepted premise, but he points out that "proof is lacking. The only evidence noted is: Roger de Sancto Dionisio 1212 Fees for Norfolk." He feels that the name more likely originated at Sidney Farm, in Alfold, Surrey and meant "dweller by the wide well-watered land." 2

Early Origins of the Sydnay family

The surname Sydnay was first found in Kent where they settled in Lewes Priory in 1188, coming from Anjou in Normandy. The founder of this family in England was Sir William Sydney, Chamberlain of King Henry II., who came from Anjou with that monarch, and was buried at Lewes Priory, East Sussex in 1188. 3 In Surrey, we also found John ate Sydenye in the Subsidy Rolls for 1332 and in Sussex, William Sydny was recorded in 1428. 2

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included: Richard de Sanct' Deonise, Norfolk; and Robert de Sanct' Deonisio, Devon. 4

Early History of the Sydnay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sydnay research. Another 117 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1515, 1529, 1534, 1554, 1563, 1580, 1586, 1595, 1598, 1619, 1623, 1626, 1641, 1649, 1659, 1676, 1677, 1680, 1681, 1682, 1683, 1698, 1702, 1704, 1705, 1729, 1737 and 1743 are included under the topic Early Sydnay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sydnay Spelling Variations

Anglo-Norman names tend to be marked by an enormous number of spelling variations. This is largely due to the fact that Old and Middle English lacked any spelling rules when Norman French was introduced in the 11th century. The languages of the English courts at that time were French and Latin. These various languages mixed quite freely in the evolving social milieu. The final element of this mix is that medieval scribes spelled words according to their sounds rather than any definite rules, so a name was often spelled in as many different ways as the number of documents it appeared in. The name was spelled Sidney, Sydney and others.

Early Notables of the Sydnay family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Richard Sydnor, English clergyman, Archdeacon of Cornwall in 1515 and then Archdeacon of Totnes from 1515 to 1534; Sir Henry Sidney (1529-1586), Lord Deputy of Ireland; his son Robert Sidney (1563-1626), 1st Earl of Leicester, progenitor of the Earls of Leicester; Dorothy Sidney (ca.1598-1659), Countess of Leicester, the eldest daughter of Henry Percy; Robert Sidney, 2nd Earl of Leicester (1595-1677), an English diplomat and politician; Philip Sidney, 3rd Earl...
Another 77 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Sydnay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Sydnay family

Because of the political and religious discontent in England, families began to migrate abroad in enormous numbers. Faced with persecution and starvation at home, the open frontiers and generally less oppressive social environment of the New World seemed tantalizing indeed to many English people. The trip was difficult, and not all made it unscathed, but many of those who did get to Canada and the United States made important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers with Sydnay name or one of its variants: Elizabeth Sidney who settled in Virginia in 1643; William Sidney, his wife, 5 children and servants, settled in Barbados in 1680.

The Sydnay 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: Quo fata vocant
Motto Translation: Wherever fate may summon me.

Citations +

Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)