Manning History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Manning is one of the oldest family names to come from the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is derived from the Old English personal name Manning. According to some experts, this name is derived from the Old Norse word manningi, which means a valiant man. 1 Another source claims that the surname was an “ancient personal name.” 2 However, one source claims that name was an ancient Norman name that must have moved to England at some point. Lambert Maignon was listed in Normandy in 1180 and a few years later, William, Ansketel le Maignen was also found in Normandy 1180-1185. 3

Early Origins of the Manning family

The surname Manning was first found in Suffolk and later in various counties throughout England. “The Mannings were, in the 13th century, represented by the Manings in Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Hunts, Lincolnshire, etc. Now they have their principal homes in Essex and Devon, and are also established in Cheshire, Northamptonshire, and Gloucestershire.” 4

“The oldest record of the family occurs in Domesday [Book] as Mannig (Suffolk)” 1 The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list: Henry Maninge in Cambridgeshire; and Nicholas Mannyng in Kent. Later the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 list Johannes Mannyng and Nora Mannyng. 1

Mannings Heath is a village in the Horsham District of West Sussex, England.