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The distinguished surname Rennox is one of the most notable Anglo/Saxon surnames and its historical trail has emerged from the mists of time to become an influential surname of the middle ages and of the present day. In an in-depth research of such ancient manuscripts as the Doomsday Book compiled in 1086 A.D. by Duke William of of Normandy, the Ragman Rolls <1291-1296> collected by King Edward 1st of England, the Curia Regis Rolls, the Pipe Rolls, the Hearth Rolls, parish registrers, baptismals, tax records and other ancient documents, researchers found the first record of the name Rennox in Cumberland where they were seated from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects. Confusing to most, we found many different spellings of in the archives researched. Although your name, Rennox, occurred in many manuscripts, from time to time the surname was also spelt Renwick, Rennick and these changes in spelling frequently occurred, even between father and son. There is one record, a father and eight sons. In the graveyard where they were buried, all nine have different spellings of their surnames. Many reasons were revealed for these spelling variations but mainly Church officials and scribes spelt the name as it was told to them. The family name Rennox is one of the most notable of the Anglo/Saxon race. This foundling race of England, a fair skinned people led by the Saxon General/Commanders Hengist and Horsa, settled in Kent from about the year 400 A.D. . The Angles , on the other hand , occupied the eastern coast. The Anglo/Saxon five-century domination of English society was an uncertain time and the nation divided into five separate kingdoms, a high king being elected as supreme ruler. By 1066 King Harold came to the throne of England which was enjoying reasnable peace and prosperity. However the Norman invasion from France and their victory at the Battle of Hastings, found many of the vanquished Saxon land owners forfeiting their land to Duke William and his invading nobles. They became oppressed under Norman rule and some moved Northward to the Midlands, Lancashire and Yorkshire, even into Scotland. The family name Rennox emerged as a notable English family name in the county of Cumberland where they were recorded as a family of great antiquity seated as Lords of the manor and estates in that shire. Anciently called Ravenswick the name became Renwick, a barony on the East side of the Eden River about the 11th century. They also held lands in Scotland at Dalzell-Kittimuir. In Cumberland the Renwicks became one of the permanent border clans and participated with their neighbours, the Ridleys, Hetheringtons, Musgraves and Salkelds in raids on the English/Scottish border. James Renwick had the questionable distinction of being the last person to be executed in Scotland for his religious principles in 1688 and became one of Scotlands martyrs. Notable amongst the family at this time was Renwick of Cumberland. For the next two or three centuries bearers of the name Rennox flourished and played a significant role in the political development of England. During the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries England was ravaged by religious and political conflict. Puritanism, Catholicism, Royalists and Parliamentary forces shed much blood. Many families were freely encouraged to migrate to Ireland, or to the Colonies. Some were rewarded with grants of lands, others were banished. In Ireland, settlers became known as the Adventurers seeking land in Ieland. Called undertakers they undertook to maintain the Protestant faith. In Ireland the first settler was a soldier who had a lease of land in county Kildare in 1585, other branches settled in counties Monaghan and Meath. Meanwhile the New World beconed and migration continued, some voluntary from Ireland but mostly directly from England or Scotland, their home territories. Some clans and families even moved to the European Continent. Kinsmen of the family name Rennox were amongst the many who sailed aboard the armada of small sailing ships known as the White Sails which plied the stormy Atlantic. These overcrowded ships were pestilance ridden, sometimes 30% to 40% of the passenger list never reaching their destination, their numbers reduced by sickness or the elements. Principal amongst the settlers which could be considered a kinsman of the name Rennox or a variable spelling of that family name was Samual Renick settled in philadelphia in 1804, John Renwick was banished to New Jersey in 1685, Francis, James and William Renwick arrived in philadelphia between 1840 and 1860. The trek from the port of entry was also arduous and many joined wagon trains to the prairies or to the West coast. During the American War of Independence, many loyalist made their way North to Canada about 1790, and became known as United Empire Loyalists. 20th century notables of this surname, Rennox, include many distinguished persons, Charles Renwick, American economist, Baron Renwick of Coombe, George Renwick, headmaster, Sir John Renwick, lawyer, Sir Richard Renwick. During the course of the research we also determined the many Coat of Arms matriculated by the family name. The most ancient grant of a Coat of Arms found was; Silver with black ravens. The Crest was; a lions head. Hall of Names. Jersey. |