Show ContentsSatterthwaite History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The present generation of the Satterthwaite family is only the most recent to bear a name that dates back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name comes from having lived in the ancient chapelry of Satterthwaite found near Hawkeshead in Lancashire. This surname was originally derived from the Old English elements soetr meaning shield and pveit meaning pasture. 1

Early Origins of the Satterthwaite family

The surname Satterthwaite was first found in Cumbria at Satterthwaite, a chapelry, in the parish of Hawkshead, union of Ulverston, hundred of Lonsdale in Lancashire. 2 The village dates back to at least 1336 when it was listed as Sterthwayt. 1

"Small and secluded as is the spot, it has originated a surname that has spread far and wide. It seems to have reached London about the 16th century." 3

The Lancashire Wills at Richmond included the the following entries: Robert Saterthwaite, of Coutehouse in Hawkshead, 1596; William Satewhait, of Saterthwaite, 1604; and George Satenwhat, of Hauxhead, 1613. 3

Early History of the Satterthwaite family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Satterthwaite research. Another 99 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1642, 1649, 1668, 1685, 1720, 1728, 1790, 1847, 1897 and 1978 are included under the topic Early Satterthwaite History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Satterthwaite Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Satterthwaite include Satterthwaite, Satherthwaite, Satterthwater and many more.

Early Notables of the Satterthwaite family

Notables of the family at this time include

  • Thomas Satterthwaite (1720-1790) a prominent Quaker in Lancaster, Lancashire who was involved in the slave trade. He was the son of Thomas Satterthwaite (1685-1728) and Mary Ledger. His brother, Benja...
  • John Satterthwaite, from Walney, Lancashire attended Oxford University and graduated 29 Oct., 1847, aged 20
  • Linton Satterthwaite Jr. (1897-1978) was an Anmerican Maya archaeologist and epigrapher and is primarily associated with the University Museum at the University of Pennsylvania. He is well known for h...


United States Satterthwaite migration to the United States +

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Satterthwaite were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records:

Satterthwaite Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • James Satterthwaite, who arrived in New Jersey in 1678 4

Contemporary Notables of the name Satterthwaite (post 1700) +

  • Linton Satterthwaite Jr. (1897-1978), American Maya archaeologist and epigrapher
  • Mark Satterthwaite, American Professor at the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University who co-developed the Gibbard-Satterthwaite theorem and the Myerson-Satterthwaite theorem
  • Joseph Satterthwaite (1900-1990), American diplomat, U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka (1949-1953), Burma (1955–1957) and South Africa (1961-1965)
  • Rt. Rev. John Satterthwaite (1925-2014), Bishop of Fulham and Gibraltar (1970-1980)
  • Joe Satterthwaite (b. 1885), English footballer from Cockermouth who played from 1906 though 1909, brother of Charlie Satterthwaite
  • Charles Oliver "Charlie" Satterthwaite (1877-1948), English footballer who played from 1896 to 1910
  • John Steven Satterthwaite (1928-2016), Australian Roman Catholic clergyman, Bishop of Lismore (1971-2001)
  • Phyllis Helen Satterthwaite (1889-1962), British two-time Wimbledon winning tennis player
  • Amy Ella Satterthwaite (b. 1986), New Zealand cricketer who played for New Zealand at the 2009 Women's Cricket World Cup


  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  4. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)


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