Tennis is a name of Anglo-Saxon origin and came from the baptismal name for the son of Dennis, which was originally derived from the Latin Dionysius. In the religious naming tradition surnames were bestowed in honor of religious figures or church officials. In Europe, the Christian Church was one of the most powerful influences on the formation of given names. Personal names derived from the names of saints, apostles, biblical figures, and missionaries are widespread in most European countries. In the Middle Ages, they became increasingly popular because people believed that the souls of the deceased continued to be involved in this world. They named their children after saints in the hope that the child would be blessed or protected by the saint.
The surname Tennis was first found in Oxfordshire where they held a family seat from very ancient times, before and after the Norman Conquest in 1066.
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Tennis research. Another 81 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1636, 1715, 1694, 1685, 1714, 1809, 1892, 1636, 1715, 1644, 1642, 1705, 1697, 1698, 1673, 1735, 1735, 1640, 1705, 1640 and 1645 are included under the topic Early Tennis History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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 Tennis have been found, including Tennyson, Tenison, Tennison and others.
Another 42 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Tennis Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Some of the Tennis family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 152 words (11 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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 Tennis, or a variant listed above to cross the Atlantic and come to North America were :