Fenner Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

This unusual surname is a derived form of the ancient ‘Fenner’ or ‘Venner’, and as such found in Britain, the Netherlands, and Germany, from whence the word probably acquired. More common variations are: Fennery, Feinner, Fennera, Fienner, Fenneir, Fener, Fennerey, Fennyery, Venner, Fanner.

The surname Fenne first found in Sussex. Some of the family also appeared in the church of Horley in Surrey from ancient times. The very first recording spelling of the family was shown to be that of Walter Le Venneur, dated 1195, in the Pipe Rolls of the county of Cambridge. It was during the reign of King Richard 1, who was known as “The Lionheart”, dated 1189-1199.  Surname all over the country became a necessity with the introduction of personal taxation.  It came to be known as Poll Tax in England.  Surnames all over the country began to develop with unique and shocking spelling varieties of the original one.

Some of the people with the name Fenner who arrived in the United States in the 17th century included Arthur Fenner, who settled in Providence, Rhode Island in 1630.  John Fenner, who settled in Connecticut in 1630.  Rebecca Fenner, who settled in Boston in 1635.  Rebecca Fenner, aged 25, who landed in New England in 1635.  John Fenner, who arrived in New Haven, Connecticut in 1639. People with the surname Fenner who landed in the United States in the 18th century included Daniel Fenner, who landed in Virginia in 1715.  Anna Fenner, who arrived in Carolina in 1738.  Felix Fenner, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1765.  Hen-rich Fenner, who arrived in New York, NY in 1782.  William Fenner, who landed in Mississippi in 1799.

Some of the people with the surname Fenner who arrived in the United States in the 19th century included Thomas Fenner, aged 62, who arrived in New York in 1812.  William Fenner, who arrived in New York, NY in 1833.  Thomas Fenner, aged 32, who landed in New York in 1854.  James Fenner, aged 4, who landed in New York in 1854.  Harvey Fenner, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1854.

Some of the individuals with the surname Fenner who landed in Australia in the 19th century included Alfred Fenner, aged 18, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1851 aboard the ship “Catherine”. Some of the population with the surname Fenner who arrived in  New Zealand in the 19th century included Thomas S. Fenner, aged 39, a labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship “Forfarshire” in 1873.

Blazons & Genealogy Notes

1) (co. Middlesex). Vert a cross ar. charged with a cross formee gu. betw. four eagles displ. of the second.
2) (co. Sussex). Same Arms. Crest—An eagle displ. ar. membered or.
3) Az. on a cross ar. betw. four eagles displ. or, a cross formee sa.
4) Erm. two chev. sa.