origin surname Jenna
the origin of an ancesters surname Richard Jenna Circa 1575 possibily Ilkeston Derbyshire uk
Replies
I can only think that it's a version of Jenner, an old word for an engineer.
thank you .The year in question was 1572 would engineer still appplyand in what context
alan brown
alan brown
Well, the surname goes back, in various forms, to the 12th century, but at that time "... ingeniator was used of men who combined the duties of master-mason and architect." (Reaney and Wilson, Dictionary of British Surnames). Same source tells us that in France the name was used for a "maker of military machines". By 1327 the spelling Jenour is on record.