This surname was of Welsh origin, ultimately from the Latin Annianus, a name meaning stability and fortitude. The name was originally brought into England in the wake of the Norman Invasion of 1066, and Ennion filius Gieruero who was documented in the year 1159 in Wales appears to be the first of the name on record. Anian was the bishop of Bangor in 1284, and Gruffydd ap Madog Vnyon appears in Berkshire in the year 1392. William ap-Eynon 1399. ibid. Morgan ap Eineon was the archdeacon of Brecon in 1389. Thomas Eynon held the same office in 1758. Originally the coat of arms identified the wearer, either in battle or in tournaments. Completely covered in body and facial armour the knight could be spotted and known by the insignia painted on his shield, and embroidered on his surcoat, the draped garment which enveloped him. Between the 11th and 15th centuries it became customary for surnames to be assumed in Europe, but were not commonplace in England or Scotland before the Norman Conquest of 1066. They are to be found in the Domesday Book of 1086. Those of gentler blood assumed surnames at this time, but it was not until the reign of Edward II (1307-1327) that second names became general practice for all people. The name was also a metonymic occupational name for a grower or seller of onions. Occupational surnames originally denoted the actual occupation followed by the individual. At what period they became hereditary is a difficult problem. Many of the occupation names were descriptive and could be varied. In the Middle Ages, at least among the Christian population, people did not usually pursue specialized occupations exclusively to the extent that we do today, and they would, in fact, turn their hand to any form of work that needed to be done, particularly in a large house or mansion, or on farms and smallholdings. In early documents, surnames often refer to the actual holder of an office, whether the church or state. Surnames before the Norman Conquest of 1066 were rare in England having been brought by the Normans when William the Conqueror invaded the shores. The practice spread to Scotland and Ireland by the 12th century, and in Wales they appeared as late as the 16th century. Most surnames can be traced to one of four sources, locational, from the occupation of the original bearer, nicknames or simply font names based on the first name of the parent being given as the second name to their child.