Show ContentsRushe History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancestry of the name Rushe dates from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It comes from when the family lived near a clump of rushes. The surname Rushe comes from the Old English word rush, which had the same meaning. Thus, bearers of the surname Rushe lived near a marsh, which was noted for its rushes.

Early Origins of the Rushe family

The surname Rushe was first found in Suffolk where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Early History of the Rushe family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rushe research. Another 73 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1533, 1537, 1577, 1745, 1756, 1813, 1833 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Rushe History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rushe Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Rushe have been found, including Rush, Rushe and others.

Early Notables of the Rushe family

Notables of the family at this time include Anthony Rush (1537-1577), English divine, Dean of Chichester, was apparently son and heir of Arthur Rush of Sudborne, Suffolk, and grandson of Sir Thomas Rush of that place, who was knighted in 1533 for his services to Henry VIII...
Another 46 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Rushe Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Rushe family to Ireland

Some of the Rushe family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 66 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Rushe family

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Rushe, or a variant listed above: Clinton Rush settled in Virginia in 1623; George Rush settled in Virginia in 1654; John Rush settled in Virginia in 1642; Anthony, George, James, Jeremiah, John, Patrick, Peter, Thomas and William Rush all arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1870..


Contemporary Notables of the name Rushe (post 1700) +

  • J. Frank Rushe, American politician, Mayor of Hyattsville, Maryland, 1921-25 1


The Rushe Motto +

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: Un Dieu
Motto Translation: One God.


  1. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 18) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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