Show ContentsVennir History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Vennir family

The surname Vennir was first found in the Domesday Book of 1086 where "seven tenants in capite, some of them obviously of Saxon origin-appear under this name in Domesday: Croch Venator in Hampshire; Godric Venator in Wiltshire; Godvinus Venator in Dorsetshire; Ricardus Venator in Warwickshire; Siward Venator in Oxfordshire; Walerannus Venator in Hampshire and Wiltshire; and Wlwi Venator in Surrey. Siward and Waleran are also found among the under-tenants (in Hampshire). These latter add five additional names to this already long list: Gislebertus (also entered as De Venables) Ralph, and Warniund Venator in Cheshire; Robertus Venator in Warwickshire; and Rogerus Venator in Worcestershire and Shropshire. They are all unmistakably Norman." 1 2

Early History of the Vennir family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Vennir research. Another 165 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1106, 1389, 1432, 1510, 1574, 1577, 1600, 1606, 1615, 1637, 1657, 1660 and 1661 are included under the topic Early Vennir History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Vennir Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Vennir include Vennor, Venour, Vennour, Venner, Venor, Vener, Vennour, Venore, Fennor, Fennour and many more.

Early Notables of the Vennir family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Richard Vennar or Vennard (d. 1615?), an English author, the younger son of John Vennar of Salisbury, a commissioner of the peace. "In 1606 Vennar was arrested on suspicion of an intention to defraud Sir John Spencer of 500l. on pretence of preparing a masque under the patronage of Sir John Watts, the lord mayor. After that he avoided London, and lived chiefly in Essex and Kent. " 3Tobias Venner (1577-1660), was an English medical writer, was born 'of honest parents' at Petherton, Somerset.Over in the New World, Thomas Venner (d. 1661), was...
Another 156 words (11 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Vennir Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Vennir family

In England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Vennirs to arrive on North American shores: 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..



  1. Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 3 of 3
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


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