Mains

Mains
Recorded as Mane, Main, Maine, Mayne, and the patronymic or locational Mains, this very interesting surname can be English, Scottish, Dutch-Flemish, French, Scandanavian, or German in origin. However in almost all cases the derivation is from the Roman (Latin) word 'magnus' meaning strength. As such in pre medieval times it was usually given as a baptismal name of endearment, although later in the Middle Ages when surnames began to be formed from about the 12th century a.d., it was usually a nickname for a very strong man, or given the robust humour of the period, the reverse! However to add to the confusion the name can also be locational from the French province of Maine, whilst the Scottish name holders, the name is particularly popular in Aberdeenshire, are of Viking stock, possibly from Iceland where the spelling is Magnus. The name development includes the recordings of Adam de Meine of Somerset, England in 1205, although he was almost certainly from France, William Asmayns of Lincolnshire in 1255, and Richard le Mayne of Sussex in 1327. In Scotland the spelling was originally Mane, generally becoming Main or Mains in the 17th century. It is said that in the year 1895 there were over thirty men called John Mains in the town of Nairn. The coat of arms granted in 1685 has the blazon of a blue field, charged with a chevron voided in red, between two fleur de lis in chief and a unicorns head in base. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Robert Main. This was dated 1204, in the Assize Rolls of Yorkshire, England. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

Surnames reference. 2013.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Mains — may refer to: Mains electricity ( line power in the United States) Mains power around the world Electricity transmission Public utility, mains services , including electricity, natural gas, water, and sewage disposal Mains (Scotland), the main… …   Wikipedia

  • mains — (m[=a]nz), n. [Scot. See {Manse}.] The farm attached to a mansion house; a manse. [Scot. or Brit. dial.] [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • mains — (m[=a]nz), n. (Electricity) The source of electrical power in a building; the wiring system of a building. [PJC] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Mains — Main Pour les articles homonymes, voir Main (homonymie). La main est l’organe préhensile effecteur situé à l’extrémité de l’avant bras et relié à ce dernier par le poignet. C est un organe destiné à saisir et manipuler des objets. Chez l Homme,… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • mains — adjective Date: 1906 British of or relating to utility distribution mains < mains voltage > < mains water > …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • mains — essuie mains lave mains sèche mains …   Dictionnaire des rimes

  • mains — cre·mains; mains; …   English syllables

  • mains — /ˈmeɪnz/ (say maynz) adjective of or relating to the mains: mains cable. See main1 (def. 7b) …  

  • mains — noun /meɪnz/ a) The domestic electrical power supply. I plugged it into the mains and it blew up! b) The pipes of a centralized water supply that transport the water to individual buildings …   Wiktionary

  • mains — maitinimo tinklas statusas T sritis fizika atitikmenys: angl. mains; power supply vok. Speisenetz, n; Versorgungsnetz, n rus. питающая сеть, f pranc. réseau d’alimentation, m …   Fizikos terminų žodynas

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