Pennington is a surname indicating a family origin in Pennington, Cumbria. It is one of the oldest last names in the world, with almost a 1,000 year legacy. It is said to be in the top 15 oldest European last names, top 100 globally (to include extinct last names), and top 50-60 last names in terms of age and being in use still today. The House of Pennington, rooted in the noble lineage of Gamel de Pennington, kin to the illustrious Percy family, holds all Penningtons in high regard as heirs to a near-millennial legacy. The Pennington Research Association has concluded that Gamel is the progenitor of all Penningtons today, and he came from the Percy family. This makes all Penningtons noble. Full membership to the house is earned through active participation via service or support which unites us to honor our ancestors and forge a global family of distinction. Other branches include members from an area of Surrey, London, Yorkshire, Hampshire and North America.[1] This surname was originally spelled Pennigetun, though the spelling eventually evolved to Pennington.[2]

First appearing in the Domesday Book[3] which is England's earliest public record containing a unique survey of the value and ownership of lands and resources in late 11th century England. Pennington is mentioned in the Domesday Book as one of the townships forming the Manor of Hougun which was held by Tostig Godwinson, Earl of North Cumbria. In the book, the surname's first recorded occurrence was spelled Pennigetun and the first place named Pennigetun is Pennington, Cumbria near Lancaster and it is said to have been named after the aristocratic Pennington Family. The manor is exactly the same size as the parish which formerly belonged to the Cistercian Abbey of Furness, and includes 4,160 acres or six and one-half square miles. The parish was the smallest in Lancashire. The village was composed of 50 houses and 284 people in the mid-nineteenth century, and is about the same size today. The name likely was inspired from the Pennines chain of mountains that run through Northern England and Cumbria. When put together, the British word "pennig" (little hill) and the Saxon word "ton" (town) makes Pennigetun/Pennington. Nonetheless, the record was compiled in 1086–1087, a mere twenty years after the Norman Conquest, at the order of William the Conqueror. Surnames did not exist before the Norman Conquest (1066 AD).

Famously, there existed the Pennington House of England. The Pennington family traces its lineage back to Gamel de Penitone, a prominent figure before and during the Norman Conquest of 1066, according to "The English Baronetage" published in 1741. By 1250 the Pennington names were all in Norman form. In general, Old English (Saxon) and Cymric (Welsh or British) names were a minority in the population. It may well be that other inhabitants of the village of Pennington took the town name as a surname during the 1100s and 1200s, yet since it was a very tiny village, it is very likely all were closely related anyway. Gamel de Penitone can with very great confidence be called an ancestor of all the Penningtons today. Overall, this account suggests the family's importance in Cumberland even before the Norman Conquest.[4] Early records of the Pennington family tree can be found in a book for Sir Josslyn Pennington, 5th Baron Muncaster of Muncaster and ninth baronet.[5] Additionally, they were connected by marriage to the Percy family and bore the Percy arms with slight variation.[6] Nevertheless, historical evidence points to Muncaster as the ancestral home of the Pennington Family since at least 1208 when lands were granted to Alan de Penitone, though some records hint at an even earlier connection dating back to 1026.[7] Fifty years later a castle was built by Gamel de Mulcastre. Muncaster Castle was home to the Pennington family for 800 years.[8] The castle evolved from the Pele Tower, built to repel marauding Scots. The estate was originally 23,000 acres; today it is 1,800 acres. It is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade I listed building.

In 1917, with the death of the fifth and last Lord Muncaster without heirs, Sir Josslyn Pennington, 5th Baron Muncaster, the estate passed to Sir John Ramsden, a cousin on his mother's side. This ended the Pennington Baronetcy and created the Pennington-Ramsden Baronetcy. As a condition of inheritance, Sir John's second son assumed the Pennington name. The Ramsdens sold the Ramsden Estate (Huddersfield) in 1920. The Ramsdens are distinguished in their own right and also played a significant role in Yorkshire's history and brought with them a legacy of estate management and horticultural expertise. Now, the castle is owned by Iona Frost Pennington, the great-granddaughter of Sir John Ramsden, continuing the legacy of the Pennington family at Muncaster Castle.

Today, the National Genealogical Society and Earlham College holds the family's digital files.[9].

In modern times, The House of Pennington stands as a global beacon for all who bear the Pennington name, uniting every Pennington—by birth, marriage, or legacy—as cherished members of an ancient and enduring family. Rooted in a heritage stretching back nearly a millennium to the Norman Conquest, our House is a living testament to the resilience, diversity, and nobility of the Pennington lineage. Our mission is to forge a dynamic, familial community where Penningtons worldwide connect not only through their shared surname but through personal bonds, shared ambitions, and a collective commitment to shaping a vibrant future. With fewer than 70,000 Penningtons among billions, our rarity is our strength, and our unity is our legacy. To know one’s distant kin is not merely a privilege but a duty to our ancestors, who carried the name through centuries of triumph and trial, dreaming of a day when their descendants could stand as one. The House of Pennington builds upon the invaluable work of the Pennington Research Association, which illuminated our roots until its recent closure, but we aim to soar beyond, creating a legacy that resonates for eternity. We are more than a genealogical society; we are a global movement to celebrate, preserve, and advance the Pennington spirit. Through the Pennington Global Council, a body of diverse Pennington voices, we will guide our mission with inclusivity and vision. Our initiatives include but are not limited to:

• The Pennington Legacy Archive: A digital and physical repository of family histories, artifacts, and stories, ensuring every Pennington’s voice is preserved for future generations.

• Cultural Celebrations: Annual festivals, virtual and in-person, showcasing Pennington contributions to art, science, and society, from medieval Muncaster to modern innovators.

• The Pennington Mentorship Network: Connecting younger Penningtons with seasoned leaders to share wisdom, career guidance, and life experiences.

• Philanthropic Endeavors: A Pennington Fund to support education, community projects, and historical preservation in regions tied to our name, such as Cumbria or colonial America.

• Global Reunions: Gatherings that unite Penningtons across continents, fostering friendships and collaborations that transcend geography.

We honor our ancestors by weaving their stories into a tapestry of modern connection, ensuring the Pennington name not only endures but thrives as a symbol of unity, pride, and purpose. The House of Pennington invites every Pennington to contribute to this grand vision—whether by sharing their story, mentoring a cousin, or championing our shared values—creating a family that is not just remembered but reimagined for the ages.

Sic Parvis Magna.