Origin of the surname Jenny

Recorded in many forms including Jane, Jan, Jaine, Jenes, Jenn, Jenne, Jenney, Jeens, Genn and Genney, this interesting and unusual name is of medieval English origin. However spelt the derivation is from the Middle English given name Jan, a early variant of the European Johannes or the English John, both being from the Hebrew 'Yochan'. The name translates as "the Lord is gracious", and was one of many biblical names brought back to Europe by the returning 12th century Crusaders. All the many Crusades to 'free the Holy Land from the infidel Muslim' were unsuccessful, but this did not prevent the participants from giving their children such names in commemoration of the fathers efforts.

Most unusually, and the reverse of almost every other name, the popular female given name 'Jane' played no part in the development of the surname, not being recorded as a baptismal name until the 17th Century, when it was associated with the religious Puritan movement. Early examples of the surname recording taken from authentic surviving registers of the period include: John Gyney of Norfolk, in the tax rolls known as the Feet of Fines for that county in 1395, John Jenney, the sheriff of Norwich in 1486, the christening of Anne Jane on September 6th 1563 at Little Hampston, in the county of Devonshire. The first recorded spelling of the family name is believed to be that of Simon Jans. This was dated 1297, in the accounts of the Earldom of Cornwall, during the reign of King Edward 1st of England. He was known by the nickname of "The Hammer of the Scots", 1272 - 1307. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

The surname Jenny. Genealogy, origin, history, meaning, and significance

Discovering the historical roots of jenny is deeply interesting, as it takes us back to the ancestors and relatives who established this lineage. The origin, the coat of arms or the different heraldic shields, and the bibliography in which the surname jenny is mentioned are part of this exciting investigation. Adhering to what we know about the way surnames originated, it is possible to offer a realistic explanation of the origins of jenny.

The surname Jenny around the world

Although surnames have a specific origin at a certain time and region of the planet, many of them have spread far and wide across the world for various reasons, as is the case with the surname jenny. The list of countries with a higher presence of people with the surname jenny provides us with a perspective on the history of the surname, beyond its origins, focusing on its migrations.

History of Jenny

The historical chronicle of jenny is based on a striking series of events that were led by those who have carried this surname throughout history. For those like you, who are interested in the history hidden behind the surname jenny, it is essential to find all kinds of information, both direct and tangential, that helps to construct a solid narrative of how the birth and expansion of jenny developed. In the following lines, you will find everything we have been able to gather about the surname jenny.

We suggest that if you want to learn more about the surname jenny, try to locate it through the bibliographic sources we suggest. We keep our website updated through our own research and also thanks to contributions from people like you, after verification; so if you have information about jenny and send it to us, we will update it on this website.

Notable Figures Named Jenny

It's more than likely that there have been some distinguished jennys throughout human history. Sadly, not all the contributions of those who bore the surname jenny were recorded by the chroniclers of the time. If you or someone you know bears the surname jenny, you could potentially build illustrious lineages through your efforts and virtues.

The surname Jenny and its bibliographic sources

Thanks to a significant bibliographic review, we have so far compiled information on the heraldry, history, and genealogy of jenny. The origin, history, coat of arms or different coats of arms, and the heraldry of jenny are recorded in a wide variety of sources and documents that are essential to know for better compilation. Accessing the archives of the town or towns where your ancestors were born and lived is, of course, a good way to trace the origins of jenny.

SOURCES

These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of jenny, and at the same time, of surnames in general.

Origin of Jenny