Newport History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsThe Newport surname is a habitational name taken on from any of several places so called, derived the Old English words "ne-owe," meaning "new," and "port," meaning "a port." 1 There are no fewer than five parishes named Newport throughout England with Essex and Devon as the most likely origin of the family. 2 The oldest is Newport, Essex which dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 when it was known as Neuport. 3 "The name of Newport, I.W., was Latinized both as Novus Portus and Novus Burgus; Newport, Salop, was called Novus Burgus (de Novo Burgo) in its charter by Henry I; Newport, Monmouth, was called Novus Burgus by Giraldus Cambrensis in order to distinguish it from Caerleon." 4 Newport, Monmouthshire was "called by Giraldus Novus Burgus, or New Town, in contradistinction to the ancient city of Caerleon, [and] arose out of the declining greatness of that celebrated station. Here Robert, Earl of Gloucester, natural son of Henry I., erected a castle for the defence of his possessions, denominated Castell Newydd, or New Castle: from him it descended through several noble families, till, on the execution of Edward, Duke of Buckingham, it was seized, together with the lordship, by Henry VIII." 5 Early Origins of the Newport familyThe surname Newport was first found in Essex at Newport, a parish, and formerly a market-town, in the union of Saffron-Walden, hundred of Uttlesford. "This manor, in the time of Edward the Confessor, belonged to Earl Harold, and afterwards, forming part of the demesnes of William the Conqueror, continued in the possession of the crown till the reign of Edward VI., when it was granted, as parcel of the duchy of Cornwall, to Richard Fermor." 5 Ailwin de Niweport was the first on record. He was listed in the Pipe Rolls for Essex in 1177. Later, Nicholas Neuport was listed in Devon in 1359. 6 The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 had three listings of the family, all with the same spelling that was prevalent at that time: William de Neuport, Buckinghamshire; Gernega de Neuport, Lincolnshire; and Maurice de Neuport, Lincolnshire. 2 Early History of the Newport familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Newport research. Another 164 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1260, 1511, 1547, 1551, 1552, 1555, 1557, 1558, 1561, 1568, 1569, 1570, 1574, 1580, 1587, 1593, 1604, 1606, 1614, 1617, 1622, 1623, 1651, 1654, 1655, 1683, 1699, 1719, 1734 and 1744 are included under the topic Early Newport History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Newport Spelling VariationsUntil quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Newport include Newport, Newports and others. Early Notables of the Newport familyNotables of the family at this time include
Newport RankingIn the United States, the name Newport is the 5,299th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 7 Migration of the Newport family to IrelandSome of the Newport family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Newport or a variant listed above: Newport Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Newport Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Newport Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
Some of the first settlers of this family name were: Newport Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include: Newport Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include: Newport Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 13 Newport Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
RMS Lusitania
The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto. Motto: Ne supra modum sapere Motto Translation: Be not over wise.
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