Vinnay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Vinnay

What does the name Vinnay mean?

In ancient Anglo-Saxon England, the ancestors of the Vinnay surname lived in the settlement of Fyning in Rogate, in the county of Sussex. The surname Vinnay 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 Vinnay family

The surname Vinnay 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 Vinnay family

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

Vinnay Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Vinnay are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Vinnay include: Vining, Vineham, Viney, Vinny, Finning, Finnings and others.

Early Notables of the Vinnay family

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

Migration of the Vinnay family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Vinnay 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)