Twain History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Twain

What does the name Twain mean?

The distinguished name Twain is derived from the Old English word "twin," meaning "thread, string," and would denote an occupational name for someone in that trade. 1

While generally regarded as an Anglo-Saxon name, it may have originated in Normandy where William Tuine was listed in the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae (1180-1195.) 2

Early Origins of the Twain family

The surname Twain was first found in Hampshire where the Feet of Fines for 1422 recorded Edmund Twyne as holding lands there at that time. 1

Nicholas and Richard Twin were recorded in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1272, but no counties were listed. 2 A very learned family, the Register of the University of Oxford had two early entries: Thomas Twyne, 1564 and Laurence Twine, 1564. 3

Early History of the Twain family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Twain research. Another 185 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1139, 1501, 1510, 1543, 1544, 1548, 1576, 1579, 1581, 1600, 1612, 1613, 1624, 1644, 1698 and 1750 are included under the topic Early Twain History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Twain Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Twyne, Twine, Twiene, Twynne, Twin, Twinn, Twain and others.

Early Notables of the Twain family

John Twyne (1501?-1581), English schoolmaster and author, born about 1501 at Bullingdon, Hampshire, the son of William Twyne, and was descended from Sir Brian Twyne of Long Parish in the same county. His son, Lawrence Twyne (fl. 1576), was a noted translator. Thomas Twyne (1543-1613), was...
Another 45 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Twain Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Twain family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: the name represented in many forms and recorded from the mid 17th century in the great migration from Europe. Migrants settled in the eastern seaboard from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands..

Contemporary Notables of the name Twain (post 1700) +

Shania Twain OC (b. 1965), born Eilleen Regina Edwards, a Canadian singer-songwriter from Windsor, Ontario who has sold over 100 million records, making her one of the best-selling music artists of all time and the best-selling female artist in country music history
Twain Tippetts, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Utah, 1952

Sources +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)