Surname Penn - Meaning and Origin
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Charting a New Course: How iGENEA DNA Test Has Rewritten My Penn Ancestry
Embarking on the journey to discover my ancestors' past via a DNA test at iGENEA, I unearthed surprising revelations about myself and my Penn lineage. With twists, turns, and unexpected truths, I have embarked on an exciting journey, unravelling historical ties, cultural influences and unexpected links to celebrated figures.
L. Penn
read morePenn: What does the surname Penn mean?
The last name Penn is of English origin and derived from the Old English word “pen,” which means “hill.” The name is believed to describe a person who lived on or near a hill, or was from a settlement at the top of a hill. While the name means "hill" in Old English, it is also associated with the Latin word “penna” which means “feather” or “quill.”
The Penn surname in its various forms is found throughout Britain, particularly in the West Midlands, including Shropshire, Worcestershire and Herefordshire. It is also found in Devon and Cornwall in the Southwest of England.
The earliest recorded use of the name was in 1286, when William de Penne was recorded in the Charters relating to Thomas the Marshal, Earl of Pembroke.
The name was also used among numerous Quaker families, who adopted the name after William Penn, founder of the state of Pennsylvania in 1682. It has been recorded elsewhere in the New World, such as Canada, Australia and South Africa.
Today, the Penn surname is common in all of the English-speaking countries. It is popularly believed that many people with the last name Penn are related to William Penn, but this is not necessarily the case.
Order DNA origin analysisPenn: Where does the name Penn come from?
The last name Penn is most commonly seen in the United States today, where it is ranked as one of America's most common surnames. It is particularly popular in Pennsylvania and the Triangle area of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, where it is often considered part of the region's rich cultural heritage. It is especially a significant name among members of the Pennsylvania Dutch culture, with many families of German descent tracing their roots back to the original Penn family in Pennsylvania. It is also a significant name among African-American populations in the U.S., particularly in the Chesapeake Bay area, where many African Americans are descended from free people who were granted land grants by William Penn in the late 1600s.
Outside of the United States, the last name Penn is most commonly seen in South Africa, where it is believed to have been brought to the country by Dutch settlers during the early colonial period. As such, it is still quite prevalent and often associated with the Dutch Afrikaans-speaking community, who have lived in South Africa since the 1600s. Additionally, it is sometimes seen in India as a result of British colonization, though it is much less common.
The Penn surname is a powerful testament to the legacy of William Penn and the lasting influence his family has had on cultural heritage around the world. It is also a reminder of the continued strength and resilience of the Pennsylvania Dutch community, and the significant contributions African Americans have made in the United States.
Variations of the surname Penn
Penn is an Anglo-Saxon surname derived from the name of many places in the area now known as Yorkshire, England. Some of these places were penne, pena, and penna. Other variations of the surname which have developed over time include Pen, Penna, Penne, Penney, Penny, Peney, and Penning.
Penn is also related to other surnames such as Pend, Pender, Pindar, Pennington, Pinder, Pendry, Penson, Penfold, and Pendlebury. Variations of Penn from other languages such as German, Dutch, andFrench include Pfenning and Penninger.
Penn is a very old surname, with records dating back to the 13th century in England. As the name spread to other countries, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia, more variations of escaped spelling forms as well as creative spellings have developed even more variations. Some of these variations are Phene, Benne, Penh, Pinne, Pinney, and Penni.
Penn is an ancient name, and through the years a variety of spellings and surnames has developed that share the same origin. This variety of variant spellings allows people with many different backgrounds to connect with this ancient name.
Famous people with the name Penn
- Sean Penn: an American actor, director, producer, and screenwriter. He is known for his roles in films such as Mystic River, Milk, and I Am Sam.
- Elijah Penn: a musician and actor, best known for appearing in the music video for the Beastie Boys' song "Intergalactic".
- Garry Penn: an Australian politician. He is a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly representing the seat of Heffron for the Labor Party since 2011.
- Robert Penn: an English economist, broadcaster, and company director. He is the author of two books, The Economic Naturalist and The Undercover Economist.
- Penn Badgley: an American actor and musician best known for his role as Dan Humphrey in the television series Gossip Girl.
- Penn Jillette: an American magician, actor, musician, inventor, television presenter, and author, best known for his work with fellow magician Teller as half of the team Penn & Teller.
- Tyler Penn: an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Ace Perry.
- Arthur Penn: an American director, producer, and screenwriter. He was best known for his films Bonnie and Clyde, The Miracle Worker, and Little Big Man.
- Stephen Penn: an American actor, writer, director, and producer. He had roles in television series such as The District, Living Single, and Fox's New York Undercover.
- Christopher Penn: an American actor, director, and writer, best known for his roles in films such as Footloose, Biloxi Blues, and Short Circuit 2.