surname FINNIS

[davidft]

There have been many replies and viewings since this topic was started in 2006. They have been very helpful.

There is one thing that I still puzzle over and it is, what is the origin of the surname Finnis?

Often an explanation starts " this is an unusual name."

I have wondered about a number of possibilities, Huguenot, Walloon or possibly Norman French.

Does anyone have any ideas about this name?

In case you haven't seen it

http://www.surnamedb.com/Surname/finnis

[finnisfinder]

 Thank you, yes I have seen that site.

 I have a copy of a will for George Finnis dated 4th June 1729. George was a carpenter of Marten
 ( Martin?) in the parish of East Langdon. Interestingly Finnis is spelt with what appears to be two
 fs at the start of the name. style of handwriting I suppose.

  Also found online from Medieval and Tudor Kent wills at Lambeth, the name  written as Finnes,
  Fynyns and Finnis dated 2nd July 1589.

  It would be interesting to know when the Finnises arrived in Kent

  Finnisfinder.

[bearkat]

Have a look at the wills Maureen Rawson's website

http://www.kentarchaeology.ac/ekwills_a/series/ekp_p1/ekp_p1n_fa.html

http://www.kentarchaeology.ac/ekwills_a/series/ekp_p2/ekp_p2n_f.htm

A Henry FINIS was in Dover in 1638.  Is FENYS a variant?  That would take the name back to 1555 in Canterbury.

[finnisfinder]

 
 Belated thanks bearkat.

 Had a trip to Australia Dec/Jan. Finnises get everywhere. Finnis river in the Northern Territory!

[AJ100]

Finnisfinder,
I saw at the beginning you are decended from Ingram Bromley Finnis. You probably have the information by now but if not, I have a fairly comprehensive list of Finnis' taken from church records with baptism dates, marriages, etc. of Deal, Walmer and surrounding parishes.
If I can be of any help do let me know.

Regards

AJ

[finnisfinder]

 Thanks AJ, looking through the posts on this topic you have helped me in the past.

  I do have a few gaps also others that I can't be sure about.

  Here goes    William Finnis b Deal 1725, possible death 1782. This death could be a different
  William Finnis altogether.
   
  Then children of William b 1725. He had married Martha Wells.

   Susannah b 1752 married Richard Roberts 1772. Unable to find her death.

   Mary b 1755 married John Holyman. Possible death 1802,not sure of that.

   Sarah b 1765 married Boulding Hook 1784, death?

   John Finnis b 1759 m Mercy Belsey 1785. Had a son Wiliam b 1788, unable to find death.
   William had a daughter Jane Mercy Finnis b 1814, have no trace of her from then on.

   I know that Mercy Finnis married secondly John Marshall 1830 but cannot find her death.

   Grateful for your help.

   Finnisfinder.
   

[AJ100]

Hello Finnisfinder,

A William Finnis married Martha wells 28/12/1751 at St Leonard's and died/was buried at St George's in Deal 19/4/1782 aged 62 and was buried in his own vault. The age is slightly out for your William born 1725 but ages then  were very elastic. This William was not baptised in Deal.
in January 1802 Mary Holeman aged 46 was buried in the Finnis vault. She would not be buried there if she were not a member of the family and the age fits with the Mary that married John Holman.
Difficulty tracking down Mercy. She had one child in Sandwich then disappears. She wasn't buried in Sandwich but a John Finnis was drowned on 29/1/1802 and buried at St Peter's which, if he were her husband, might have prompted her moving or remarrying.
Will keep looking.
Regards

AJ

[finnisfinder]

Thanks AJ

I think it is the William Finnis I was after. His daughter Sarah b1785 was a minor when she married Bolding Hook in 1784, her guardian being John Finnis, thought he might be her brother.

Mercy Finnis probably ended up in Northbourne as she married John Marshall a butcher of Northbourne.

I haven't "done" any Finnises in Sandwich as my line originated in Deal, Ingram Bromley was the first to live in Sandwich.

I came across something interesting online. Sarah Finnis Hook married John Finnis 21st November 1825 Lee, Kent. Sarah a widow. That would make Sarah about 60. I thought it might be her daughter b 1790 but unlikely as she wouldn't use her maiden name. I'm wondering who this John Finnis was! Have to start looking for a Sarah Finnis Finnis.

Regards
Finnisfinder.

[AJ100]

Hello Finnisfinder,
Came across Mercy's marriage, if you haven't already got it. 5/1/1831 at Northborne John Marshall, Widower of Barham married Mercy Finnis, Widow. Witnesses were Charles Morris and Ann Belsey.

Are you tracing your direct line back or searching for Finnis' in general? I have Finnis details in Deal from 1780-odd (Willmott & Susanna)with others further back on microfiche. Also the Sandwich ones, Ingram and his offspring, both there and in Deal. all are from parish records, so can be taken as near  accurate as possible.

Don't know about the ones in Lee as my records don't go that far but there would need to be a convincing link to include anyone that far afield.

If I can be of any more help, please don't hesitate to ask

Kid Regards

AJ