| ![Show Contents]() Sarsfield History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Ireland already had an established system of hereditary surnames when the Strongbownians arrived. Often the two traditions blended together quite well due to some of their basic similarities, but the incoming Anglo-Norman system brought in some forms that were uncommon amongst the Irish. One of these Anglo-Norman anomalies was the prevalence of local surnames, such as Sarsfield. Local names were taken from the names of a place or a geographical feature where the person lived, held land, or was born. Originally, the place names were prefixed by de, which means from in French. This type of prefix was eventually either made a part of the surname if the place name began with a vowel or was eliminated entirely. The local surnames of these Strongbownian invaders referred to places in Normandy, or more typically England, but eventually for those Anglo-Normans that remained in Ireland, the nicknames referred to places or geographical features of the island: they became true local names. The Sarsfield family appears to have originally lived in either of the settlements named Sarnesfield in the English counties of Herefordshire and Worcestershire. The surname Sarsfield belongs to the large category of Anglo-Norman habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads. The Gaelic form of the surname Sarsfield is Sáirséil. Early Origins of the Sarsfield familyThe surname Sarsfield was first found in County Cork (Irish: Corcaigh) the ancient Kingdom of Deis Muin (Desmond), located on the southwest coast of Ireland in the province of Munster, where they were granted lands by Strongbow, Earl of Pembroke, for their assistance in the invasion of Ireland in 1172. Another reference claims "the first of the family of Sarsfield who settled in Ireland is said to have been Thomas de Sarsfield. 'chief banner-bearer' to King Henry II., AD 1172." 1 Early History of the Sarsfield familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sarsfield research. Another 142 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1300, 1528, 1570, 1598, 1636, 1648, 1660, 1678, 1681, 1687, 1693 and 1701 are included under the topic Early Sarsfield History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Sarsfield Spelling VariationsDuring the lifetime of an individual person, his name was often spelt by church officials and medieval scribes the way it sounded. An examination of the many different origins of each name has revealed many spelling variations for the name: Sarsefield, Sarnesfield, Sarsfield, Sharisfield, Sarisfield, Sarisfell, Sarsfell, Sarnesfell and many more. Early Notables of the Sarsfield familyNotable amongst the family up to this time was - Jenet Sarsfield, Baroness Dunsany ( c.1528-1598 ), an Irish noblewoman from County Meath, memorable for having six husbands; Dominick Sarsfield, 1st Viscount Sarsfield (c. 1570-1636), Chief Justice of...
- Patrick Sarsfield (c. 1660-1693), the first Earl of Lucan, an Irish Jacobite and soldier. Born at Lucan, near Dublin, he was the second son of Patrick Sarsfield. Patrick came to possess an estate of 2...
 Sarsfield migration to the United States | + |
In the mid-19th century, Ireland experienced one of the worst periods in its entire history. During this decade in order to ease the pressure of the soil, which was actually depleted by the effects of the previous years' grain crops, landowners forced tenant farmers and peasants onto tiny plots of land that barely provided the basic sustenance a family required. Conditions were worsened, though, by the population of the country, which was growing fast to roughly eight million. So when the Great Potato Famine of the mid-1840s hit, starvation and diseases decimated the population. Thousands of Irish families left the country for British North America and the United States. The new immigrants were often accommodated either in the opening western frontiers or as cheap unskilled labor in the established centers. In early passenger and immigration lists there are many immigrants bearing the name Sarsfield:
Sarsfield Settlers in United States in the 18th Century- Will Sarsfield, who settled in Georgia in 1734
Sarsfield Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- Monarch Sarsfield, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1871
| Sarsfield migration to Canada | + |
Some of the first settlers of this family name were: Sarsfield Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century- Garrett Sarsfield, who landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1749
Sarsfield Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century- Patrick Sarsfield, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1838
- Bridget Sarsfield, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1839
| Sarsfield migration to Australia | + |
Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include: Sarsfield Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century- Miss Margaret Sarsfield, (b. 1825), aged 16, English cook who was convicted in London, England for 10 years, transported aboard the "Emma Eugenia" on 16th November 1841, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land), she died in 1897 2
| Contemporary Notables of the name Sarsfield (post 1700) | + |
- Eugene S. Sarsfield (1902-1943), United States Navy officer, recipient of the Navy Cross
- Dalmacio Vélez Sarsfield (1800-1875), Argentine lawyer and politician
- Mairuth Hodge Sarsfield CQ (1925-2013), Canadian author, activist journalist, researcher and television personality
- Joseph Sarsfield Glass (1874-1926), American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church
- General Thomas Sarsfield Power (1905-1970), American Commander in Chief Strategic Air Command (1957-1964) 3
- William Sarsfield McNary (1863-1930), American Democratic Party politician, Member of Massachusetts State House of Representatives; Member of Massachusetts State Senate
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: Virtus non vertitur
Motto Translation: Virtue not changed.
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Sarsfield migration to the United States 
Sarsfield migration to Canada 
Sarsfield migration to Australia 
Ireland
England
