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The Nankivell News |
This page is devoted to my wife's English ancestors by the name of Nankivell. If you haven't heard this surname before, it is not surprising as it is rather uncommon. Joan's grandmother's name was Jane (Jennie) Elizabeth Nankivell. Jennie and her family migrated from England to Canada in 1914 and then to San Diego, California in 1915. After a few years, four Nankivell sisters and one brother settled in the San Francisco Bay Area where most of their descendants live today. The family has remained very close and a Nankivell - Steynor Christmas party is held every year. This page discusses some Nankivell history, identifies who to contact for additional information about Nankivell genealogy and presents news and upcoming activities for this American Branch of the Nankivell family.
The Nankivell family originates from the St. Columb Major area of Cornwall, England, however we have not been able to connect Joan's Nankivells with any of the known Nankivell families of Cornwall. We can trace Joan's Nankivells to the Poplar / Isle of Dogs area of London, England, beginning with William Nankivell who was born about 1789 and married Ann North, born 25 Nov 1790, in Poplar. This docklands area is called the "East End" of London where they could "hear Bow Bells". Anyone living near enough to hear the bells of Bow Church was generally thought to be Cockney, but the Nankivells were not. This branch of the Nankivell family lived in the Poplar / Isle of Dogs area for over 125 years before migrating to America. They made their livings by serving ships in one capacity or another.
Anne Williams of Spalding, South Australia, Australia, has been researching Nankivell family history for over 20 years. An excerpt from a book written by Anne in 1986 is shown below:
History of the
Nankivell Family
(from Anne Williams' 1986 Book, "Nankivell, A Family Affair")
Exact origins of the family seem lost in the mix of early peoples of Cornwall. Some believe that the family extends back to the early Celts who inhabited Cornwall. Some people believe that people from the Iberian Peninsula came to England about the time of Christ, looking for tin, which at that time could be picked up from the surface of the earth. Others of the family believe that the family came from France with William the Conqueror in 1066 or were survivors of the Spanish Armada of 1588.
The origin of the name Nankivell is variously derived from Nan/Nant/Nance, which is Cornish for a valley, plus a personal name Cyfel, or a form of Welsh Ceffyl, meaning "horses". The actual place from which the family took their name is no doubt Nanskeval in the Parish of St Mawgan in Pyclar, which was spelt Nanscuvel in 1277. All that remains of Nanskeval is a glen of fine old oak trees about two miles from St Columb Major.
The Dictionary of British Surnames gives the following reference to the name:
Nankivell - from Nans-Cyfel: Valley of Cyfel (personal name), or possibly NansCeffyl (Welsh) Valley of Horse found midwest and northern Cornwall.
There is also a theory that the name is pure Celtic and means the "Glen of Woodcocks". Whichever, the name means a type of glen or valley.
The earliest known record of a clan member is dated 1324, at which time the lands of St Columb Major were conveyed and granted to Odoni de Nanscuvel and Rose his wife. The estate is very old; and none of the original buildings remain. Other early surviving records include: Nanscuvel of 1277; John Nanscuvel of 1327 and 1362; Richard Nanscuvel of 1394 and Odo cle Nankevill, a cleric who lived in 1375.
About 1400 a King's Herald, by the name of Typpett, came into possession of Nankivell property and then took the family name. The Typpett family became known as Typpett alias Nankivell, then TyppettNankivell, then Nankivell. This Nankivell family is still associated with the area of St Columb Major.
The family of St Columb Major, Cornwall, reaches back furthest into antiquity with its documentation beginning about A.D. 1450 with Typpett, the King's Herald, coming into possession of the Nankivell lands. Earliest records show mostly the line of inheriting sons. It is thus difficult to establish connections with this family, but tradition has it that there are many connections.
A proclamation was made by Henry V that any Coat of Arms not in existence at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415 were forbidden and that Coats of Arms could only be inherited or granted by the King. Therefore one can assume that the Nankivell Coats of Arms were in existence before 1415.
Between 1530 and 1686 heralds recorded all coats of arms in existence and the genealogies of those bearing them and it is from the Heralds Visitations of 1620 when it appears that several generations before that year there was a certain Typpett Nankevell of St Columb Major. From him descended various Nankivells until John in 1620 described himself as John Nankivell "alias Tippett".
The Coat of Arms recorded at the Visitation was "Argent, on a Cross Hummettee Sable, Voided". In other words, a silver shield with a short armed black cross, the centre of the cross being cut away to leave just the black outline. Variations of this and also different Arms for Tippett were used at various times, with or without crests, i.e. helmet decoration.
In most cases arms were not granted for any special reason of merit, worthy deeds, etc. In general they were simply assumed or officially registered as the distinctive device of a more or less prominent family.
The ancient Coat of Arms of the Nance family of Cornwall are similar, thus, it is possible that the Nankivells, also known as Nancekivell, may have adopted their Arms owing to a similarity in the two names.
A broad history of the family from the 1600s seems to be that the Nankivells were miners (tinners) of Cornwall.
The Nankivells, who in the late 17th century, settled at St Agnes, are thought to descend from the St Columb family. By about 1690, the third generation of the St Agnes family included four brothers: Richard, Benjamin, Samuel and Samson. Each of the brothers left many descendants.
Other Nankivell Websites
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Brent is a Nankivell researcher who traces his ancestry to Typpett or Tybot Nankivell of Cornwall. He maintains an interesting site which is rich in Nankivell history and graphical presentations. His site can be viewed at: http://www.users.bigpond.com/carlindie/Nankivells.htm |
Joan's Nankivell & Steynor Ancestors
Three pictures of Joan's grandfather, Harold Steynor, taken between 1900 and 1910. He played the banjo professionally before his marriage to Jane Nankivell.
Shown above is a picture of Joan's grandmother, Jane (Jennie) Elizabeth Nankivell Steynor (taken abt. 1900). Next is a photograph of Joan's great grandfather, James Frederick Nankivell, and her great grandmother, Amelia Maria Taylor Stewart, taken on their wedding day, 28 February 1874.
American Nankivell/Steynor Family
Gatherings
[Click on an image to view a higher resolution picture]
| Annual QQC Gatherings of the Senior Steynors | Annual Nankivell - Steynor Christmas Party | ||
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12 Jun 2008, 01:30:04
