Speedy History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland

Early Origins of the Speedy family

The surname Speedy was first found in Suffolk where in 1185, Godfrey Speed appeared on the Pipe Rolls. 1 Years later, Johannes Sped was listed in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 in Suffolk. The same rolls also listed Margaret Sped in Cambridgeshire: and Roger Sped in Oxfordshire. 2

The name could have claimed Normandy as the starting point as one source notes that the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae lists Ivo de Spada there in 1185. 3

Other sources claim that it was a nickname as a "reference to the swiftness of the original bearers." 4 And yet another claims the name was "a font-name, wishing prosperity or good-speed to the child." 2

Further to the north in Scotland, Nicholas Speid occupied part of the lands of Cuikstone or Quygstone in Angus, 1410 and Cuthbert Speid was witness in Forfar in the same year. 5

Early History of the Speedy family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Speedy research. Another 45 words (3 lines of text) covering the years 1277, 1551, 1555, 1556, 1578, 1595, 1598, 1629, 1631, 1650, 1682 and 1685 are included under the topic Early Speedy History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Speedy Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Speed, Spede, Speyde, Speede, Speid and others.

Early Notables of the Speedy family

Distinguished members of the family include John Speed (c. 1551-1629), an English cartographer and historian, best known English mapmaker of the Stuart period. Born in Farndon, Cheshire, he went into the tailoring business of his father, Samuel. While working in London, he came to the attention of learned individuals who gave him an allowance to engage in full-time scholarship. Queen Elizabeth granted Speed the use of a room in the Custom House. By 1595, Speed published a map of biblical Canaan and in 1598 he presented his maps to Queen Elizabeth."Mr. Joseph Speed of...
Another 93 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Speedy Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Speedy migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Speedy Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

John Speedy, aged 27, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "Lord Goderich" from London, England
Mary Speedy, aged 24, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "Lord Goderich" from London, England

Speedy migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Speedy Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Thomas Speedy, (b. 1831), aged 21, English carpenter who was convicted in Devizes, Wiltshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Dudbrook" on 17th November 1852, arriving in Western Australia, he died in 1909 6

Speedy migration to New Zealand +

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:

Speedy Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

David Speedy, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
William Speedy, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
Mr. David Speedy, (1799-1857), aged 36, Scottish agricultural labourer, born in Methven, Perthshire, Scotland travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Lord William Bentinck" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 24th May 1841 7
Mrs. Helen Speedy, (1801-1866), aged 35, Scottish settler, born in Methven, Perthshire, Scotland travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Lord William Bentinck" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 24th May 1841 7
Mr. John Speedy, (1828-1914), aged 12, Scottish settler, born in Methven, Perthshire, Scotland travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Lord William Bentinck" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 24th May 1841 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 23rd July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/dudbrook
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html