Penney

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Penney (also spelled Penny) is a common surname of British origin

Coat of Arms of the Surname Penney

The name Penney dates from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It was derived from the Old English "Penig," denoting a coin. The penny was the only unit of coinage in England until the early 14th century, and as such was a coin of considerable value.

Spelling variations include: Penny, Penney, Pennie, Penne, Pyne, Pynne and others.

First found in Northampton where they held a family seat from very early times, and before the 12th century had become associated with London and had moved north into Scotland and west into Ireland settling mostly in the provinces of Ulster and Munster.

Some of the first settlers of this name or some of its variants were: George Penny who settled in the Barbados in 1635; Charles Penny settled in Maryland in 1775; P. Penny settled in Boston Mass. in 1769; the family also settled in Pennsylvania in the 18th century. In Newfoundland, Benedict Penny inherited property in Carbonear which dated back to 1699.

[edit] People named Penney

James Cash Penney (1875-1971), American Businessman, Founder of JC Penney
William George Penney (1909-1991), British Physicist, one of the participants in The Manhattan Project
David Penney (b.1964), English Football Player/Manager
Kirk Penney (b.1980), Former NBA Player
Trevor Penney (b.1968), English Cricket Player/Manager
Mark Penney (b.1982), Canadian Film Director
Darren Penny (b.1969), Canadian/American Freelance Minister
Steve Penney (b.1961), NHL goaltender from Canada; played with the Winnipeg Jets and the 1986 Stanley Cup Champions, the Montreal Canadiens.
Steve Penney (b.1964), Irish Footballer, played in the 1986 World Cup
Stef Penney (b.1969), Scottish Novelist and filmaker