VENABLES
Venables
The surname Venables is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from the Old French word "venables," meant primarily a huntsman or one who carried out the duties of a gamekeeper. This name was brought to England in the wake of the Norman Conquest of 1066 and is believed to have been a name given to "keepers of the chase."
Origins
The Venables family name has ancient roots in England, particularly in the regions of Cheshire and Lancashire. The family played a significant role in the medieval history of these areas, serving as foresters and keepers of the royal forests. The first recording of the name dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists one Ralph de Venables as a landholder in Cheshire.
Coat of Arms
The Venables family coat of arms displays heraldic imagery that often includes symbols associated with hunting and the forest, such as stags' heads and trees. This reflects the family's historical association with hunting and forestry.
Notable Individuals
Notable individuals bearing the surname Venables include Steve Venables, a renowned British mountaineer who achieved notable ascents in the Himalayas, and Harry Venables, a former professional footballer and television personality.
Legacy
The surname Venables has left a lasting legacy in British history, with families bearing this name often tracing their ancestry back through generations. The name continues to be borne by individuals across various regions of the United Kingdom and beyond, serving as a link to the heritage and traditions of medieval England.
There are approximately 4,528 people named Venables in the UK. That makes it roughly the 2,069th most common surname in Britain. Around 70 in a million people in Britain are named Venables.
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Andrew
- Anthony
- Christopher
- David
- John
- Lee
- Mark
- Michael
- Neil
- Paul
- Peter
- Robert
Female
- Christine
- Cl
- Claire
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Helen
- Jennifer
- Kate
- Kl
- Lisa
- Margaret
- Marian
- Mary
- Sarah
- Susan