Synngand History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Synngand is one of the names that was brought to England in the wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Synngand family name comes from the saint bearing the ancient given name John. It is possible that individual cases may derive from the original bearer's residence in one of several places called St. Jean in Normandy that take their names from the same source. Synngand is a classic example of an English polygenetic surname, which is a surname that was developed in a number of different locations and adopted by various families independently.

Early Origins of the Synngand family

The surname Synngand was first found in Oxfordshire where the family claim descent "from the great Domesday Baron Adam de Port, [who] took the name St John in the XII century on his marriage with the heiress of the powerful Norman family, so called." 1

"William de St. John, whose name was derived from the territory of St. John, near Rouen, came into England with [William the] Conqueror, as Grand Master of the Artillery, and supervisor of the waggons and carriages, whence the horses' hames, or collar, was borne for his cognizance. He married Oliva, daughter of Ralph de Filgiers, of Normandy, and had by her, Thomas, who died without issue, and John de St. John, who inherited, on the demise of his brother, all the lands in England, and principally the lordship of Stanton, co. Oxon [(Oxfordshire)] (for distinction from the other towns of the same name, called Stanton St. John). This John was a person of great eminence in the reign of William Rufus, being one of the twelve knights that accompanied Robert Fitz-Hamon, Earl of Gloucester, in a warlike expedition against the Welsh, and received, 'in reward for his great services, and helps in many victories,' the castle of Faumont, co. Glamorgan. " 2

Another source confirms in part, this lineage: "Stanton St. John in the union of Headington in Oxfordshire was home to the family. This place takes the adjunct to its name from the family of St. John, who held the manor in the reign of Edward III." 3

John de Saint-John (died 1302), was "Lieutenant of Aquitaine, the son of Robert de Saint-John and his wife Agnes, daughter of William de Cantelupe. His grandfather, William de Saint-John, was the son of Adam de Port. Robert de Saint-John died in 1267, whereupon John received livery of his lands. John also succeeded his father as Governor of Porchester Castle." 4

Another branch of the family was found at Warnford in Southampton. "The manor, in the reign of William I., belonged to Hugh de Port, whose descendant, William, assumed the name of his maternal grandmother, St. John: the old manor-house, near the church, is now a ruin called King John's, by corruption of the family name." 3

In the 17th century, "the family of St. John had a venerable mansion [in Battersea, Surrey], which was the favourite resort of Pope, who, when visiting his friend Lord Bolingbroke, usually selected as his study, in which he is said to have composed some of his celebrated works, a parlour wainscoted with cedar, overlooking the Thames." 3

Another branch of the family was found at Liddiard-Tregooze in Wiltshire. "This place has from the time of the Conquest been the property of the family of St. John, whose mansion and park are near the church." 3

Early History of the Synngand family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Synngand research. Another 168 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1085, 1096, 1540, 1559, 1577, 1582, 1583, 1589, 1596, 1598, 1618, 1630, 1634, 1640, 1653, 1663, 1673, 1678, 1685, 1711, 1714, 1749 and 1751 are included under the topic Early Synngand History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Synngand Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence in the eras before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate regularly changed the spellings of their names as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Synngand have been found, including St. John, St. Jean, Singen and others.

Early Notables of the Synngand family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Oliver St John of Bletsoe, 1st Baron St John of Bletso (died 1582), an English peer, High Sheriff of Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire; John St John, 2nd Baron St John of Bletso (d. 1596); Oliver St John, 3rd Baron St John of Bletso (c. 1540-1618); Sir Oliver St John (c. 1598-1673), an English judge and politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1640 to 1653, supporter of the Parliamentary cause in the English...
Another 82 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Synngand Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Synngand family to Ireland

Some of the Synngand family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 136 words (10 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Synngand family

For many English families, the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. For such families, the shores of Ireland, Australia, and the New World beckoned. They left their homeland at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. Many arrived after the long voyage sick, starving, and without a penny. But even those were greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. Numerous English settlers who arrived in the United States and Canada at this time went on to make important contributions to the developing cultures of those countries. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Synngand were among those contributors: Alpheus Spencer St. John who settled in Canada in 1835; John St. John who settled in Virginia in 1654; Thomas St. John who settled in Philadelphia in 1820.

The Synngand 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: Data fata secutus
Motto Translation: Following my destiny.

Citations +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print