Taheny History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

The name Taheny comes from one of the family having worked as a deacon, an officer in the church. The occupation appears in the Old French as diacne, in Old English as diacon or deacon, and in Old English as deakne. Alternatively, the name could have been derived "from the name of an ancestor as in 'the son of David.' " 1

Early Origins of the Taheny family

The surname Taheny was first found in Suffolk where Richard le Diakne was the first record of the family appearing in the Curia Regis Rolls of 1212. A few years later, Richard le Deken(e) was listed in the Assize Rolls for Bedfordshire in 1247 and later in the Assize Rolls for Northumberland in 1256. 2

As an occupation, "Walter the Deacon was at the compilation of Domesday a tenant in chief in the counties of Gloucester and Essex." 3 4

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed: Gile Deacon, Norfolk; Richard le Dekene, Norfolk; Adam le Dekene, Somerset; and Peter le Dekne, Cambridgeshire. 1

Up north in Scotland, the first record of the family was Walter Dekne, burgess of St. John's town of Perth, who had a safe conduct into England for two years, 1291. 5

Early History of the Taheny family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Taheny research. Another 202 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1212, 1256, 1327, 1332, 1379, 1697, 1715 and 1753 are included under the topic Early Taheny History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Taheny Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Taheny have been found, including: Deakin, Deacon, Deakan, Deakins, Dekne, Diakne and many more.

Early Notables of the Taheny family

Another 31 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Taheny Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Taheny family to Ireland

Some of the Taheny family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Taheny migration to the United States +

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Among the first immigrants of the name Taheny, or a variant listed above to cross the Atlantic and come to North America were :

Taheny Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Bdgt. Taheny, aged 21, who immigrated to the United States from Colooney, in 1898
John Taheny, aged 22, who immigrated to the United States from Ballymote, in 1899

Taheny Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Margaret Taheny, aged 19, who settled in America from Ballisodare, Ireland, in 1911
May Taheny, aged 29, who landed in America from Castlebar, Ireland, in 1911
Michael Taheny, aged 29, who immigrated to the United States from Castlebar, Ireland, in 1911
Domlicx Taheny, aged 25, who landed in America from Boyle, Ireland, in 1915
Edward Taheny, aged 23, who immigrated to America from Ballymote, Ireland, in 1921
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Taheny (post 1700) +

Emily Taheny, Australian television actress, comedienne, and singer

The Taheny 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: In utrumque utroque paratus
Motto Translation: Prepared for both.

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
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.
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)