Maynard Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

Maynard Surname Name Meaning, Origin, History, & Etymology
The last name Maynard is an English and Norman-French name developed from the Old French, personal (first) name Mainard or Meinhard, which in turn derives from the Germanic or Teutonic masculine given name Maganhard or Meginard, consisting of the words magin, meaning “strength” and hard, meaning “hardy, brave, or strong”. In his 1909 book titled British Family Names, Henry Barber writes the following in regard to the etymology of this surname: “From the Danish, Meinert; from the Dutch, Meijnhardt; from the Flemish, Meynaert; in the Domesday Book, Mainard; from the French, Ménard; a personal name”

The originates in France and made its way into England around the time of William the Conqueror’s Norman Conquest of England in 1066 AD. Such companions of William often receive grants of land for their service to him, land that use to belong to the Anglo-Saxon aristocracy.

One branch of the English Maynard family traces their descent from Sir Richard Maynarde of Kirklevington, Yorkshire, who fought at The Battle Agincourt in 1415 AD. Another branch of the family owned Hoxne Hall. In his 1848 book titled A Topographic Dictionary of England, Samuel Lewis states the following in regard to this surname: “Hoxne Hall, for many generations the residence of the Maynard family. In the north aisle [of the church] is a monument, with a group of figures finely sculptured in marble, to the memory of Sir Thomas Maynard, erected in 1742, by Christopher Stanley, Esq. A school, now in union with the National Society, was founded and endowed by Lord Maynard”.

Surname Spelling variants
Spelling or names with similar etymologies include Mainard, Mainart, Mainhard, Maynart, Maynar, Mynard, Manard, and others.

Maynard Family Mottos
I have identified two mottos for this family and have translated them from Latin to English:
1) Manus justa nardus (A just hand is a precious ointment)
2) Tam corde quam manu (Both heart and hand)

Early Bearers of the Maynard Surname

Ralph and John Mainard or Mainart and the estate of the family were recorded in Normandy, France c. 1187 AD. Richard Mainard was recorded in England in 1195 AD in the Pipe Rolls of Sussex. A member of the Mainard family, a burgess of Berwick, Scotland was documented Scotland c. 1144 AD and the following was written of him: “Be it known that with the licence of David our king, I have constituted St. Andrews a burgh and that with the king’s consent I have made Mainard the Fleming (Matnardum Flandrensem) provost of this burgh“. Thomas filius (son of) Meinard is listed in the Assize Court Rolls of Lincolnshire in 1202 AD. Robert Mainard witnessed a charter at the Priory of May in Scotland in 1260 AD.

Popularity & Geographic Distribution
The last name Maynard ranks 884^th in popularity in the United Status as of the 2000 Census. The name ranks particularly high in the following four states: West Virginia (92^nd), Vermont (92^nd), Kentucky (256^th), and Ohio (346^th).

The surname Maynard frequency/commonness ranks as follows in the British Isles: England (847^th), Scotland (3,510^th), Wales (836^th), Ireland (4,959^th) and Northern Ireland (5,122^nd). In England, it ranks highest in West Sussex. In Scotland, the surname ranks highest in Shetland and Angus. In Wales, it ranks highest in Carmarthenshire.

The name is also present throughout the remainder English speaking world:  Canada (1,424^th), New Zealand (1,454^th), Australia (959^th), and South Africa (12,656^th).

In his 1890 book, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain, Henry Brougham Guppy, states the following in regard to this last name: “Maynard is an ancient and distinguished Devonshire name. In the reign of Edward III. John Maynard of Axminster was appointed governor of Brest Castle, in Brittany: Sir John at Tavistock in 1602, was one of the greatest lawyers of his time; the name was represented in Lamerton, near Tavistock, in the reign of Edward IV. (W. T.). The Maynards had considerable property in Devonshire, and intermarried with several important families in the West of England (Polwhele’s “Cornwall”). The name is also established in Cornwall”.

Maynard Family Tree & Maynard Genealogy

Maynard of Skinningrove Hall
The genealogy or ancestral lineage of this family begins with John Lax of Eryholme, who, in 1741, married Sarah, daughter of John Jefferson of Elton and Mary Burton, having issue with her as follows: 1) Anthony (his heir), 2) John (of Eryholme and Stokesley, married Elizabeth Gilling, had issue named John Charles, David Jefferson, Anthony Lax, Edmund Gilling, and Thomas Burton), 3) Thomas, 4) Mary (married Jacob Lambert of New Castle, had a daughter), 5) Dorothy, 6) Sarah (married Robert Charge of Lowfield), 7) Jane (married William Taylerson of Stokesley), 8) Elizabeth (married George Woods), 9) and Esther (married Bernard Lucas of Husland). Mrs. Lax, who assumed for herself and her issue, by sign manual, 1784, the surname and arms of Maynard. She died in 1812 and was succeeded by the eldest son, Anthony. Anthony Law Maynard was an Esquire of Chesterfield, county Derby and Harsley Hall, county York, and a Deputy Lieutenant. He married Dorothy, daughter of Reverend Ralph Heathcote, but died without posterity in 1825. He was succeeded by his nephew, John. This nephew, John Charles Maynard, Esq. of Harsley Hall, was born in 1788. In 1813, he married Catherine Grace, daughter and heiress of John Easterby, Esq. of Skinninggrove, and had issue as follows: Anthony Lax (discussed below), John Easterby (married Marian, daughter of James Wilson, Esquire. Of Potto Hall, had a son named James), Francis Cresswell, Edmund Gilling (Lieutenant Colonel of the 88^th Regiment, married Gertrude,  Roper), Thomas Burton (married a daughter of J. Myers of Darlington), Charles Septimus (married Elizbeth Kemp), Elizabeth (married Roger Fenton of Mount Grace), Catherine Jane (married Stephen Cholmeley of the Knoll, Kingston, Surrey), Frances Dorothea, Emma Oceana (married Reverend Miles Atkinson), and Sarah Jefferson (married John Stapylton Sutton of Elton Hall). He died in 1871 and was succeeded by his eldest son, Anthony. Anthony Lax Maynard, Esquire of Skinninggrove Hall, county York, England, was born in 1814. In 1813, he married Elizabeth Jane, daughter of George Hutton Wilkinson of Harperley Park, and had a son with her named Anthony Charles Hutton Maynard, born in 1860. In 1873, he married Edith Harriett, daughter of Reverend Henry Richard Ridley, and had a son with her named Henry Easterby Maynard who was born in 1876. The Maynard coat of arms of Maynard family crest is blazoned in the medieval European art of heraldry as follows: Quarterly: 1^st and 4^th, argent, on a chevron vert between three sinister hands couped gules five ermine spots or, for Maynard; 2^nd and 3^rd, barry of six erminois and gules, on a chief azure three Catherine wheels or, for Lax. Crests: Maynard: A stag trippant or, gorged with a collar invected argent fimbriated sable; for Lax: A mount vert thereon a Catherine wheel as in the arms. Motto: Manus justa nardus. They were seated at Skinningrove Hall, Skelton, county York, England and they resided at Newton Hall, Durham.

Baronet Maynard
Sir William Maynard, 1^st Baronet, was born in 1641, the son of Charles Maynard and Mary Corsellis, and nephew of the 1^st Baron Maynard. In 1681, he was created a Baronet of Walthamstow in Essex. He entered the English House of Commons as a Member of Parliament in 1685, but died several months later. He married Mary, daughter of William Baynbrigg, and had several issue with her, including sons Henry and William. His son William was born c. 1676 in England and was the 2^nd Baronet Maynard of Walthamstow. He died in 1715. He was succeeded by his brother Henry, 3^rd Baronet, who passed away in 1738. Henry had a son named William, 4^th Baronet, who was born in Walthamstow, Essex, England in 1721. He died in 1772. He had two sons: Charles and Henry. Henry was born in Essex, England in 1758. He had a son named Henry, who was the 3^rd Viscount Maynard, born in Essex in 1786.

Baron Maynard
William Maynard, 1^st Baron Maynard, was born in Easton, Essex, England c. 1589 AD, the son of Sir Henry Maynard, Knight and Member of Parliament, and Susanna Pierson. He was Lord Lieutenant of Essex from 1635-1640, Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire in 1640, and a Member of Parliament for Chippenham and also Penryn. He married twice: Frances, daughter of William Cavendish, 1^st Earl of Devonshire, and Anne, daughter of Sir Anthony Everard. He was succeeded by his son, William Maynard, 2^nd Baronet, who was born in Great Waltham, Essex, England in 1623. He married twice and had issue: Elizabeth, Johanna, and Banastre. His son, Banastre Maynard, 3^rd Baron, was born c. 1642. He married Elizabeth Grey and had issue as follows: Dorothy, Annabella, Henry (4^th Baron), Charles (1^st Viscount), Grey (5^th Baron), and Annabella.

Viscount Maynard
Charles Maynard, son of Banastre Maynard, 3^rd Baron Maynard and Lady Elizabeth, daughter of Henry Grey, 10^th Earl of Kent, was born c. 1690. In 1763, he was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk. In 1766, he was created Baron Maynard, of Much Easton, Essex, and Viscount Maynard, of Easton Lodge, Essex. He died in 1775. On his death the baronetcy of Eaton Parva and baronies of Maynard created in 1620 and 1628 became extinct. He was succeeded in the barony of 1766 and viscountcy according to the special remainder by his kinsman, Sir Charles Maynard, 5th Baronet. Charles Maynard (1751-1824) was the 2nd Viscount Maynard. Henry Maynard was the 3^rd Viscount, born in 1788. He was a captain of the Western Battalion of the Essex Militia and Deputy Lieutenant of Essex. Maynard succeeded his uncle in the viscountcy in 1824. He married Mary, daughter of Reginald Rabett of Branfield Hall, and had a son with her named Colonel Honourable Charles Henry Maynard. Charles Henry had several daughters.

Devon, England to Massachusetts
John Maynard was born in Newtown, Devon, England c. 1575 AD. He married Elizabeth Ashton and had a son with her named John. John II was born in Bassingbourn, Ricamond, St. Edwards, England c. 1598 AD. He married twice: Judith Starr and Mary Rice. He came to colonial America and lived along the Subury River. He was the father of the following issue: John, Zachariah, Elizabeth, Sarah, Hannah, and Mary. The following is an excerpt about him from wikitree.com: “In 1660, the inhabitants of Sudbury petitioned the General Court, stating that as the Lord had blessed them with very large families and had also greatly prospered them by increasing their flocks and herds, they found themselves much hampered for room for their cattle to feed. On May 31, 1660, a grant of six square miles was set off for their needs and this country was known as Whippin and afterwards in corporated as Marlborough. In this grant, John Maynard II was assigned a good area in the central part of the present city of Marlborough. John III went to this grant and settled, and married Mary Gates”. His two sons are discussed as follows:
1) John Maynard was born in Cambridge, England c. 1630. He married twice: Mary Gates and Sarah Blanford. He was the father of the following issue: Mary, John, Hannah, Elizabeth, Simon, Zachariah, David, Sarah, Lydia, and Joseph. The following is an excerpt about him from wikitree.com: “On October 29, 1686 he was listed as one of the proprietors of Ockoocangansett Plantation, later called Maynard and, with Richard Barnes and John Brigham, was ordered to lay out the land of the plantation and order the highways. He was most likely the John Maynard who was a selectmen in 1707 and 1710”.
2) Zachariah Maynard was born in Sudbury, Middlesex, Massachusetts in 1647. He married twice: Hannah Goodrich and Hannah Pendleton. He was father of the following issue: David, Mary, Moses, and Joseph.

Marriages of Maynards
1) John Maynard, age 31, married Jane Butler in Warwick, England in 1735
1) William Maynard married Ann Beetleson in Church Eaton, Staffordshire, England in 1766
2) John Maynard married Martha Brigham in Westborough, Massachusetts in 1767
3) Louis Maynard married Nathan Read in Rutland, Worcester, Massachusetts in August 1783
4) Seth Maynard married Sarah Morse in Shrewsbury, Worcester, Massachusetts in May 1785
5) Elizabeth Maynard married Richard Trott in Bedminster, Somerset, England in March 1833
6) Patrick Maynard married Lousia Houffstedler in September 1881 in Yell, Arkansas in 1881
7) Moses Maynard married Annis Daniels in Ashtabula, Ohio in January 1841
8) Calvin F. Maynard married Frances A. Powell in Williams, Ohio in 1842
9) Thomas Maynard married Barbara Lamont in West Bay City, Michigan in June 1899
10) Albion D. Maynard married Sarah D. Downey in Ovid, Clinton, Michigan in 1849
11) George S. Maynard married Frankie S. Humphrey in Oakland, Michigan in 1881
12) Frank Maynard married Josephine Hughes in Harrison, Indiana in 1897

Early American and New World Settlers
Some of the earliest settlers in colonial America bearing this name include:
1) John Maynard came to Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1635
2) Elizabeth Maynard came to Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1635
3) Thomas Maynard came to Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1635
2) Charles Maynard came to Maryland in 1637
3) Tobias Maynard came to Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1656
4) John Maynard came to Virginia in 1660
5) Kingsmill Maynard came to Virginia c. 1675
6) Peter Maynard came to Virginia c. 1665
7) Ann Maynard came to Maryland c. 1668
8) Margaret Maynard came to Maryland in 1670
9) Samuel Maynard came to Virginia in 1672
10) Hugh Maynard came to Maryland in 1675
11) William Maynard came to New London, Connecticut in 1678
12) Henry Maynard came to Maryland in 1702
13) Thomas Maynard came to Maryland in 1702
14) Lawrence Maynard, age 20, came to Maryland in 1729
15) John Maynard, age 21, came to Maryland or Virginia in 1737
16) Henry Maynard came to Virginia in 1719
17) Thomas Maynard came to Annapolis, Maryland in 1720
18) Anne Maynard came to Maryland in 1725
19) Henry Maynard came to Virginia in 1727
20) Nathan Maynard came to Maryland in 1748

Several thousand members of the Maynard family came to the United States through Ellis Island, during the nineteenth century, including:
1) Harry Maynard came from Great Britain aboard the New World in 1869
2) Henry Maynard came from Great Britain aboard the New World in 1869
3) Susan Maynard came from Great Britain aboard the New World in 1869
2) Amos Maynard came from Great Britain aboard the City of London in 1869
3) Thomas Maynard came from Ireland aboard the Algeria in 1871
4) Mary Maynard came from Leeds, England aboard the California in 1912
5) Walter Maynard came from New York aboard the Mauretania in 1912
6) John Maynard came from Brighton, England aboard the Magdalena in 1910
7) Howard Maynard came from Woolwich, England aboard the Campania in 1913
8) Thomas W. Maynard came from England aboard the Philadelphia in 1903
9) Samuel Maynard came from Barbados, West Indies aboard the Parima in 1910
10) Alfred Maynard came from Queensferry, Flint, Wales aboard the Mauretania in 1913
11) Percy Maynard came from Dublin, Ireland aboard the Adriatic in 1910
12) William Maynard came to Toronto, Canada aboard the Olympic in 1913

Some of the earliest settlers in Canada bearing this name include:
1) Jacques Maynard, age 45, came in 1642
2) John Maynard Sr. came to Prince Edward Island in 1842

Some of the earliest settlers in Australia bearing this name include:
1) John Maynard came to New South Wales aboard the General Stewart in 1818
2) John Maynard came to New South Wales aboard the Dromedary in 1819
3) James Maynard came to New South Wales aboard the Mangles in 1822
4) Thomas Maynard came to New South Wales aboard the Mangles in 1829
5) William Maynard came to New South Wales aboard the Mangles in 1830
6) Henry Maynard came to New South Wales aboard the Mangles in 1839
7) Thomas Maynard, age 22, came from England to Victoria aboard the Orient in 1840
8) Henry Maynard, age 29, came from London, England to Victoria aboard the British Empire in 1849
9) George Maynard, age 38, came from England to Victoria aboard the Apolline in 1852
10) Eliza Maynard, age 41, came to Victoria aboard the Apolline in 1852
11) James and Mary Ann Maynard came to Tasmania aboard the Flying Squirrell in 1852
12) Hannah Maynard, age 63, came from London, England to Victoria aboard the Blackwall in 1853
13) Jane Maynard, age 63, came from Liverpool, England to Victoria aboard the Red Jacket in 1862
14) John Maynard, age 32, came from London, England to Queensland aboard the Brisbane in 1866

Some of the earliest settlers in New Zealand bearing this name include:
1) Louisa E. Maynard, of Essex, England, came to Canterbury aboard the Gainsborough in 1868
2) Mary Maynard came from England to Canterbury aboard the Mary Shepherd in 1873
3) Hy C. Maynard, of Berkshire, England, came to Canterbury aboard the Mary Shepherd in 1873
4) John Maynard came to Canterbury aboard the Rangitiki in 1876
5) Martha Maynard came to Canterbury aboard the Rangitiki in 1876

Grantees of Arms
1) Maynard, late Hesilrige, Thomas, of county Leicestershire, 1785
2) Viscount Maynard, 1775, 5^th Baronet,
3) Maynard, late Lax, Sarah (widow of John Lax), county York, crest to male descendants 1784
4) Maynard of Pentonville, London, 1811, see Nourse
5)  Henry Maynard of Esten, county Hertsfordshire, 1590, by Booke
6) Sir William Maynard, Knight and Baronet, created Baron Maynard of Wicklow in Ireland by King James; confirmation of arms and crest and grant of supports 26 November 1621 by Segar

Notables
There are hundreds of notable people with the Maynard surname. This page will mention a handful. Famous people with this last name include:
1) Donald Rogers Maynard (1935) was a former football player who played in the NFL, AFL, and WFL from 1958-1974, primarily for the New York Titans, born in Crosbyton, Texas
2) Bradley Alan Maynard (1974) is a former punter in the NFL who played for four different teams, including the New York Giants, between 1997-2011, born in Tipton, Indiana
3) David Swinson “Doc” Maynard (1808-1873) was an American pioneer, businessman, and doctor, born in Castleton, Vermont who is considered one of Seattle Washington’s founders
4) Edward Maynard (1813-1891) was an American firearm inventor born in Madison, New York, best known for his breechloading rifle
5) Horace Maynard (1814-1882) was an American educator, attorney, and diplomat who served in the US House of Representatives from 1866-1873, Minister to the Ottoman Empire from 1875-1880, and was the 28^th United States Postmaster General from 1880-1881
6) Kenneth Olin Maynard (1895-1973) was an American movie actor and stuntman who appeared in over 90 films, born in Vevay, Indiana, known for his white cowboy hat and six-shooters
7) Robert Maynard (1684-1751) was a lieutenant and captain of the Royal Navy, born in Dartford, Kent, England, who is known for defeating the pirate Blackbeard in battle and beheading him
8) Daphne Joyce Maynard (1953) is an American journalist and novelist born in Durham, New Hampshire who has written for Seventeen and The New York Times
9) Hannah Hatherly Maynard (1834-1918) was a Canadian photographer born in Bude, Cornwall, England known for her experimental photography and portrait work
10) Finian Maynard (1974) is a six-time speed windsurfing world champion (1998-2001, 2006 and 2009), born in Dublin, Ireland

Maynard America Civil War Veterans
There were several soldiers with the last name Maynard who served in the American Civil War, including the following:
1) Amory F. Maynard of the 36^th Regiment Massachusetts Infantry (Union)
2) James H. Maynard of the 59^th Regiment Illinois Infantry (Union)
3) Henry H. Maynard of the 15^th Regiment New York Cavalry (Union)
4) David B. Maynard of the 1^st Regiment Pennsylvania Light Artillery (Union)
5) William S.J. Maynard of the 20^th Regiment Michigan Infantry (Union)
6) Charles Maynard of the 1^st Regiment New Jersey Cavalry (Union)
7) Stephen Maynard of the 128^th Regiment Ohio Infantry (Union)
8) William Henry Maynard of the 50^th Regiment North Carolina (Confederacy)
9) Thomas B. Maynard of the 1^st Regiment Maryland Cavalry (Confederacy)
10) George H. Maynard of the 12^th Regiment Georgia Infantry (Confederacy)
11) Alex H.D. Maynard of the 8^th Battalion Arkansas Infantry (Confederacy)
12) Milan Maynard of Waller’s Regiment Texas Infantry (Confederacy)
13) B.G. Maynard of the 4^th Regiment South Carolina Cavalry (Confederacy)
14) Silas D. Maynard of the 25^th Regiment Tennessee Infantry (Confederacy)

Blazons & Genealogy Notes

1) (Baron Maynard, of Wicklow and Estainee, extinct 1775; Sir Henry Maynard, High Sheriff of co. Essex, 1602, had two sons, 1) Sir William Maynard, created a bart. 1611, and Viscount Maynard 1620; 2) Charles Maynard, ancestor of Viscount Maynard; Sir Charles, fifth bart. and fifth Viscount Maynard, was created Viscount Maynard, of Easton, with special remainder to male descendants of his kinsman, Sir William Maynard, fourth bart. of Walton). Ar. a chev. betw. three sinister hands couped at the wrist gu. Crest—A stag trippant ppr. attired and unguled or. Supporters—Dexter, a stag ppr.; sinister, a talbot ar. pied sa. gorged with a plain collar gu. Motto—Manus justa nardus.
2) (Viscount Maynard, extinct 1865; Sir Charles Maynard, fifth bart. of Walton, s. his kinsman as second viscount 1775: the third viscount d. s.p. m.). Same Arms and Motto. Crest—A stag statant or. Supporters—Dexter, a stag ppr. attired or; sinister, a talbot ar. pied sa. gorged with a plain collar gu.
3) (Sherford, co. Devon; Nicholas, Thomas, and John Maynard, Visit. Devon, 1620, sons of John Maynard, grandsons of Thomas Maynard, the son of Thomas Maynard, all of Sherford). (Milton, co. Cornwall. Visit. Cornwall, 1620)Ar. three sinister hands couped at the wrist gu. Crest—A stag trippant ar. attired gu.
4) (Chesterfield, co, Derby; John Charles Maynard, Esq., of Harsley Hall, co. York, grandson of Sarah Jefferson, and her husband, John Lax, Esq., of Eryholme, same co., which Sarah was great-granddaughter, through his daughter Jane, of John Maynard, Esq., of Kirklevington, co. York, and having inherited the Maynard estates, she assumed, by sign manual, in 1784, for herself and her issue, the surname and arms of Maynard). Quarterly, 1st and 4th, ar. on a chev. vert betw. three sinister hands erect gu. five erm. spots or, for Maynard; 2nd and 3rd, barry of six erm. and gu.on a chief az. three Catherine wheels or, for Laz Crests—1st, Maynard: A buck pass, or, gorged with a collar invecked ar. fimbriated sa.; 2nd, Laz: A mount vert, thereon a Catherine wheel, as in the arms. Motto—Manus justa nardus.
5) (St. Alban’s, co. Hertford). Ar. a chev. quarterly gu. and az. betw. three sinister hands couped of the second. Crest—A buck ppr.
6) (co. Kent). Ar. a chev. sa. betw. three sinister hands couped at the wrist gu.
7) (Hammersmith, co. Middlesex). Ar. a chev. betw. three dexter hands couped and erect gu. a crescent for cliff.
8) (Mosely co.Leicester; exemplified 28 March, 1770, to Thomas Hasilridge, upon his taking, by royal licence, the name and arms of Maynard). Same Arms. Crest—A stag or, attired ppr.
9) Sa. three sinister hands erased ar.
10) (Carriglas, co. Longford; confirmed by Hawkins, Ulster, 1714, to William Maynard, Esq., M.P. for Tullow, co. Waterford, great-grandson of Sir William Maynard, Knt., the son of William Maynard, Esq., of Fulham and London, by Angel, his wife, dau. and co-heir of Alderman Humphrey Baskervile, of London). Quarterly, 1st and 4th, or, a chev. gu. cotised az. betw. three dexter hands couped at the wrist and erect sa., for Maynard; 2nd and 3rd, ar. a chev. gu. betw. three torteaux, for Baskervile. Crest—A wolf’s head erased, holding in the mouth a broken spear all ppr. Motto—Tam corde quam manu.