Setter History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Germany

The Anglo-Saxon name Setter comes from when the family resided 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 Setter family

The surname Setter 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 Setter family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Setter 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 Setter History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Setter Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Setter include Satterthwaite, Satherthwaite, Satterthwater and many more.

Early Notables of the Setter 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, Benjamin Satterthwaite became a factor or agent for a group of Lancaster slave traders, first in Barbados and then in...
Another 56 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Setter Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Setter migration to the United States +

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants:

Setter Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Oscar Setter, aged 55, who arrived in New York in 1919 aboard the ship "Bergensfjord" from Kristiania, Norway 4
Andrew Mansell Setter, aged 41, originally from South Wales, Cardiff, who arrived in New York in 1919 aboard the ship "Adriatic" from Southampton, England 4
Edina Setter, aged 14, originally from South Wales, Cardiff, who arrived in New York in 1919 aboard the ship "Adriatic" from Southampton, England 4
Andrea Setter, aged 28, who arrived in New York in 1921 aboard the ship "Mount Clay" from Hamburg, Germany 4

Contemporary Notables of the name Setter (post 1700) +

Richard Alfred "Rick" Setter (b. 1937), former Australian politician, Member for Jingili in the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly from 1984 to 1997

Citations +

Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result