Penney
Encyclopedia
Penney is a common surname
of British
origin.
The name Penney dates from the ancient Anglo-Saxon
culture of Britain. It was derived from the Old English "Penig," denoting a coin (cognate
with German "Pfennig
"). The penny was the only unit of coinage in England
until the early 14th century, and as such was a coin of considerable value.
The name was first found in Northampton
where they held a family seat from very early times; before the 12th century had become associated with London
; later moved north into Scotland
and west into Ireland
settling mostly in the provinces of Ulster
and Munster
.
Some of the first settlers of this name or some of its variants were: George Penny who settled in the Barbados
in 1635; William Penny settled on Eastern Long Island prior to 1740; Charles Penny settled in Maryland
in 1775; P. Penny settled in Boston, Massachusetts in 1769; the family also settled in Pennsylvania
in the 18th century. In Newfoundland, Benedict Penny inherited property in Carbonear
which dated back to 1699.
Spelling variations include: Penny, Penney, Pennie, Penne, Pyne, Pynne and others.
Surname
A surname is a name added to a given name and is part of a personal name. In many cases, a surname is a family name. Many dictionaries define "surname" as a synonym of "family name"...
of British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
origin.
The name Penney dates from the ancient Anglo-Saxon
Anglo-Saxons
Anglo-Saxon is a term used by historians to designate the Germanic tribes who invaded and settled the south and east of Great Britain beginning in the early 5th century AD, and the period from their creation of the English nation to the Norman conquest. The Anglo-Saxon Era denotes the period of...
culture of Britain. It was derived from the Old English "Penig," denoting a coin (cognate
Cognate
In linguistics, cognates are words that have a common etymological origin. This learned term derives from the Latin cognatus . Cognates within the same language are called doublets. Strictly speaking, loanwords from another language are usually not meant by the term, e.g...
with German "Pfennig
Pfennig
The Pfennig , plural Pfennige, is an old German coin or note, which existed from the 9th century until the introduction of the euro in 2002....
"). The penny was the only unit of coinage in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
until the early 14th century, and as such was a coin of considerable value.
The name was first found in Northampton
Northampton
Northampton is a large market town and local government district in the East Midlands region of England. Situated about north-west of London and around south-east of Birmingham, Northampton lies on the River Nene and is the county town of Northamptonshire. The demonym of Northampton is...
where they held a family seat from very early times; before the 12th century had become associated with London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
; later moved north into Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
and west into Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
settling mostly in the provinces of Ulster
Ulster
Ulster is one of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the north of the island. In ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial...
and Munster
Munster
Munster is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the south of Ireland. In Ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial purposes...
.
Some of the first settlers of this name or some of its variants were: George Penny who settled in the Barbados
Barbados
Barbados is an island country in the Lesser Antilles. It is in length and as much as in width, amounting to . It is situated in the western area of the North Atlantic and 100 kilometres east of the Windward Islands and the Caribbean Sea; therein, it is about east of the islands of Saint...
in 1635; William Penny settled on Eastern Long Island prior to 1740; Charles Penny settled in Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
in 1775; P. Penny settled in Boston, Massachusetts in 1769; the family also settled in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
in the 18th century. In Newfoundland, Benedict Penny inherited property in Carbonear
Carbonear, Newfoundland and Labrador
Carbonear is a town on the Avalon Peninsula in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. As of 2006, there are 4,723 people living in Carbonear, down from 4,759 in 2001.-History:...
which dated back to 1699.
Spelling variations include: Penny, Penney, Pennie, Penne, Pyne, Pynne and others.
People named Penney
- Alphonsus Liguori PenneyAlphonsus Liguori PenneyArchbishop Alphonsus Liguori Penney is a Canadian Roman Catholic priest who was Archbishop of St.John's from 1979-1991.-Sexual abuse scandal:...
(b. 1924) Canadian Archbishop - David PenneyDavid PenneyDavid Mark "Dave" Penney is an English football manager and former player. Born in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, Penney entered professional football at the relatively late age of 21...
(b.1964), English Football Player/Manager - Gail Penney (b.1959), New Zealand blog writer www.penneylaneonline.com
- James Cash Penney (1875-1971), American Businessman, Founder of JC Penney
- Kirk PenneyKirk PenneyKirk Samuel Penney is a New Zealander professional basketball player.-University of Wisconsin :...
(b.1980), New Zealand basketball player - Mark PenneyMark PenneyMark Penney is a Canadian film director.Mark Penney is the director of the 2004 film The Right Way which played at many world film festivals most notably at the 61st Venice Film Festival...
(b.1982), Canadian Film Director - Roger PenneyRoger PenneyRoger Penney is an innovative singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He pioneered a style of American psychedelic folk music in the late 60s, early 70s and is known for his inventive performances and recordings as Bermuda Triangle Band as well as ROGER AND WENDY and EUPHORIA.-Early life:Born...
, American singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist - Stef PenneyStef PenneyStef Penney is a film-maker and writer.She grew up in the Scottish capital and turned to film-making after a degree in Philosophy and Theology from Bristol University. She made three short films before studying Film and TV at Bournemouth College of Art, and on graduation was selected for the...
(b.1969), Scottish novelist and filmmaker - Steve Penney (b.1961), NHL goaltender from Canada; played with the Winnipeg Jets and the 1986 Stanley Cup Champions, the Montreal Canadiens.
- Steve PenneySteve Penney (footballer)Steven Alexander "Steve" Penney, named "Kid", is a former Northern Ireland international footballer who played as a right winger....
(b.1964), Irish Footballer, played in the 1986 World Cup - Fraser Alexander Penney (b.1964), Scottish, investor in property
- Trevor PenneyTrevor PenneyTrevor Lionel Penney is a former cricketer who played for Warwickshire County Cricket Club, noted particularly for his fielding...
(b.1968), English cricket coach and former player - William George PenneyWilliam George PenneyWilliam George Penney, Baron Penney OM, KBE PhD, DSc, , FRS, FRSE, FIC, Hon FCGI was a British mathematician who was responsible for the development of British nuclear technology, following World War II...
(1909-1991), British Physicist, one of the participants in The Manhattan Project Scottish Novelist and filmmaker - Jeanne M. Penney (b.1956), Advocate for people with developmental disabilities