The Ancient History of the Distinguished Surname

Tanis

T

he chronicles of England, though sometimes shrouded by the mists of time reveal the early records of the name Tanis as a Norman surname, which ranks as one of the oldest. The history of the name is interwoven into one of the colourful fabric as an intrinsic part of the history of Britain.

Careful research by professional analysts using such ancient manuscripts as The Domesday Book (compiled in 1086 by William the Conqueror), the Ragman Roles, the Wace poem, the Honour Role of the Battle Abbey, The Curia Regis, Pipe Rolls, the Falaise Roll, tax records, baptismal records, family genealogies, and local parish and church records, shows the first record of the name Tanis was found in Essex where they were anciently seated as Lords of the Manor. The Norman influence of English history dominated after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The language of the courts was French for the next three centuries and the Norman ambience prevailed. The family name was first referenced in the 13e century when they held estates in that shire. The name originated Saint Aubin du Thenney in Eure. (opm. mijnerzijds: De franse uitsprak van “”Tanis”” is phonetisch geschreven als “”Tannies””) Richard de Tani still held his estates in Thenney which was in the honour of Gilbert FitzRichard.

Many alternative spellings of the name were found. They were typically linked to a common root, usually one of the Norman nobles of the Battle of Hastings. Your name, Tanis, occurred in many references, and from time to time, the surname included the spellings of Taney, Tanney, Tawney, Tannie, de Tani, and many more. Scribes recorded and spelled the name as it sounded. It was not unlikely that a person would be born with one spelling, married with another, and buried with a headstone that showed another. All three spellings related to the same person. Sometimes preferences for different spelling variations either came from a division of the family, or, religious reasons, or sometimes, patriotic reasons.

The family name Tanis is believed to be descended original from the Norman race. They were commonly believed to be of French origin but were, more accurately of Viking origin. The Vikings landed in the Orkneys and Northern Scotland about the year 870 AD., under their Chief, Stirgud the Stout. Later under their Earl, Thorfinn Rollo, they invaded France about 910 AD. The French king, Charles the Simple, after Rollo laid siege to Paris, finally conceded defeat and granted Northern France to Rollo.

Rollo became the first duke of Normandy, the territory of the North Men. Duke William, who invaded and defeated England in 1066, was descended from the first Duke Rollo of Normandy.

Duke William took census of most of England in 1086, and recorded the Domesday Book. A family name, capable of being traced back to this document, or to Hastings, was a signal of honour for most families during the middle ages, and even to this day.

The surname Tanis emerged as a notable English family name in the county of Essex where they were anciently seated. Hasculfus de Tania succeeded to the estates in 1195. They later branched to Suffolk. From their early beginnings, for the next few centuries, the family name also acquired other estates or manors as branches established themselves throughout England.

Several major conflicts, the Wars of the Roses, the Cromwellian found themselves to be in opposing camps with conflicting interests. Many changes in spelling the surname were accidental, some were deliberate, to declare a cause, or to distance a branch from the main stem. Sir Richard Tawney was knighted in 1786. He was an alderman of Oxfort. Of note amongst the family at this time was the Taney family of Essex.

The surname Tanis contributed much to local politics and in the affairs of England or Scotland. During the 12^th century many of these Norman families moved north to Scotland, following Earl David of Huntingdon who would become King of Scotland. Later, in the 16^th, 17^th and 18^th centuries, England and Scotland were ravaged by religious and political conflict. The Monarchy, the Church and the Parliament fought for supremacy. The unrest caused many to think of distant lands. (opm. mijnerzijds: het vermoeden bestaat dat ergens in de 15e eeuw afstammelingen van de Engelse Tanissen, naar Nederland overgestoken zijn, om uiteindelijk via Den Briel, Goedereede, Veere of Vlissingen, maar waarschijnlijk via de eerste twee havenstadjes, in Ouddorp te belanden)

Settlers in Ireland became known as the “”Adventurers for land in Ireland””. They “”undertook”” to keep the Protestant faith, and were granted lands, previously owned by the Irish. As early as 1172 branches of certain family surnames moved to Ireland with the invasion of Strongbow, still more were encouraged to be a part of the Plantation of Ulster in the early 17^th century. Later, the Cromwellian settlements moved other families. There is no evidence of this family surname migrating to Ireland but this does not preclude individual settlements.

Later, when the migration towards North America took place, also members of the Tanis families had their share into this, where they spread out all over the US and Canada.

Author Unknown

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