Vinay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Vinay is a name of ancient Anglo-Saxon origin and comes from a family once having lived in the settlement of Fyning in Rogate, in the county of Sussex. The surname Vinay belongs to the large category of Anglo-Saxon habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.

Early Origins of the Vinay family

The surname Vinay was first found in Winchester where Robert Fininge is generally understood to be the oldest listing of the family as recorded there (1210-1211.)

A few years later, Thomas Finning was listed in Suffolk in 1228 and later, the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex listed Alan Fynyng in 1332. Ralph de Vynynge was listed to the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1327 and Robert Vinning was listed in Somerset in 1641. 1

Early History of the Vinay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Vinay research. Another 38 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Vinay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Vinay Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Vinay has been recorded under many different variations, including Vining, Vineham, Viney, Vinny, Finning, Finnings and others.

Early Notables of the Vinay family

More information is included under the topic Early Vinay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Vinay family

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Vinay or a variant listed above: John Vining settled in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630; Jonathon Vining settled in Virginia in 1635; Mathew Vining settled in Barbados in 1654; William Vining arrived in New York in 1822.

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)