This interesting surname is a variant of Lennie, which is of Scottish origin, and is locational from a place called Leny in the parish of Callander in the former county of Perthshire. The placename is derived from the Gaelic "leana", bog, marsh, and the local suffix "-ach". Locational surname were developed when former inhabitants of a place moved to another area, usually to seek work, and were best identified by the name of their birthplace. The surname development since 1267 (see below) includes the following: John de Leny (circa 1270, Drumchastell), John de Lanyn (1296, Perth), John de Lany (104, Perth), John Lanie (1613, Monbrachie). The modern surname can be found as Lennie, Leney, Len(n)y and Lenney. Among the recordings in Scotland are the marriage of Janet Lenney and Alexander McKillop on February 10th 1773 at Tibbermore, Perth, and the christening of Margaret, daughter of James Lenney and Isabel, on March 9th 1806 also at Tibbermore, in Perth. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of John de Lena (witness), which was dated 1267, The Episcopal Register of Glasgow, Scotland, during the reign of King Alexander 111 of Scotland, 1249 - 1286. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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