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Author: DanielsWhimsey
Surnames: Chamness, Champness, Champneys
Classification: queries
Message Board URL:
http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.chamness/99.1.1/mb.ashx
Message Board Post:
The name Chamness is reported to be an anglicization of the French La Champaigne "of
the field" - hence the assumption that they came with Normans and William the
Conqueror. Other forms in England are Champneys and Champness. John and Ann Chamness had
6 sons and 2 daughters baptized at St.John Wapping in the early 1700's. There was an
Anthony Champneys who married Anne Pitts in 1686 in St.James Duke's Place. I don't
have any direct proof that they were John's parents, but the dates would fit as well
as the coincidence of the name Anthony. All of the Chamnesses in the English birth,
marriage, death records from 1837 forward are in London, Essex, or Surrey.
There was another Chamness who settled in New Jersey in the late 1600's, but I
don't think anyone survived from that group who carries the name Chamness. All the
present-day Chamnesses in the US seem to be descended from Anthony and/or his extended
family in North Carolina. I'm not aware of any Chamnesses returning to England.
I don't think that all the Chamnesses in England are necessarily related, but you
should be able to trace back, starting with yourself, using the birth, marriage, and death
records on file in England.
Hope this helps, and good luck with your search!
David Chamness, Holland, MI
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