Eanes pre-1700s
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In reply to:
Re: Josiah Eanes
Carol Jensen 10/24/01
Hi Carol - I was doing some research on my mother's side (Joanne Elizabeth Eanes direct from Edward in the VA book), and she faxed some letters and information sent to William M. Eanes in Valdosta GA in 1977 from Henrique Granadeiro, the Chief of the Civil Staff in Portugal.
It seems the Eanes name originates from Portugal (conjecture). It's promounced "Yeanes": YEA as in "year" and NES as in "(tu)nes". Now, the Portuguese pronounce 'tunes' as tun-ess, so I'm unsure if it's "yeaness" or "yeanes." Perhaps someone else could be of some help here.
Gil Eannes was an esquire in the household of Prince Henry the Navigator. He was sent twice from Lagos in S. Portugal in one of the first sailing ships with a lateen sail to round the face of Africa. The second time, in 1434, he was successful. There's a statue in his honor in Lagos.
Prince Henry awarded him with knighthood and a rich marriage. One of the sons is Leonel Gil (also a knight - and a tax collector who was exiled to Cueto). The Portugese tended to take the first names of their fathers at times for their surname, so there's no solid proof that Edward was descended from Gil Eannes (Eanes). There are earlier and later Eanes in Portugese rosters, including a recent president. If you want to know more, please feel free to email me.