The given name Jennings is an English surname that originated as a patronymic name, derived from the personal name Jenyn, which itself is a medieval diminutive form of the name John. The name John traces its roots back to the Hebrew name Yohanan, meaning "Graced by God" or "Yahweh is gracious."

The earliest recorded use of the name Jennings can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Jenninges." This suggests that the name was already in use in England during the late 11th century, likely carried by some of the Norman settlers who arrived after the Norman Conquest of 1066.

In the medieval period, the name Jennings was primarily associated with the landed gentry and upper classes of English society. One notable historical figure who bore this name was Sir John Jennings (c. 1370-1429), a Member of Parliament and Sheriff of Somerset during the reign of King Henry VI.

Another significant bearer of the name was Admiral Sir John Jennings (1655-1743), a renowned English naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. He played a crucial role in several naval engagements, including the Battle of Vigo Bay in 1702 and the capture of Gibraltar in 1704.

In the literary world, the name Jennings is perhaps most famously associated with the character of Amanda Jennings, a recurring character in the popular Regency romance novels of Georgette Heyer (1902-1974). Amanda Jennings was portrayed as a spirited and independent young woman who frequently found herself embroiled in romantic adventures and social scandals.

Other notable historical figures with the given name Jennings include Sir Robert Jennings (1646-1718), an English judge and politician who served as Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, and Hilda Jennings (1875-1950), a pioneering English social reformer and activist who fought for women's rights and the improvement of working conditions for factory workers.

While the name Jennings has its origins in England, it has since spread to other parts of the English-speaking world, including the United States, Canada, and Australia, where it continues to be used as both a given name and a surname.