Show ContentsSawyer History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Sawyer name was coined by the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. Sawyer was originally a name given to someone who worked as a person who worked as the sawyer. [1] [2] This individual bought wood and cut it with his saw in order to sell it the towns people. Occupational names frequently were derived from the principal object associated with the activity of the original bearer, such as tools or products. These types of occupational surnames are called metonymic surnames.

One source claims the name could have been Norman in origin as in "Radulphus de Sahurs, and the Ville of Sahurs, Normandy 1198." [3] While this entry is quite a bit later than the Norman Conquest, the presumption is that not all of the family accompanied the Conqueror in 1066.

Early Origins of the Sawyer family

The surname Sawyer was first found in various counties and shires throughout ancient Britain. The earliest record of the family was found in Berkshire where Nicholas le Sagyere was listed c. 1248. A few years later, Humfrey le Sayhare, le Sawyere, and Robert le Sawyere, le Saweare were both listed in the Assize Rolls of Somerset in 1270. [4]

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 also listed some of the first entries for the family: Ralph le Sawiere in Huntingdonshire; and Geoffrey le Sawere in London. [2] Further to the north, Philip le Sagher was listed in the Yorkshire in 1324. [4]

By the 15th century, the name was frequented much further north in Scotland where Alexander Sawer was burgess of Glasgow in 1447 and Andrew Sauer was juror on inquest at Prestwick in 1470. "Thomas Sawar was friar preacher in St. Andrews, 1545." [5]

Early History of the Sawyer family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sawyer research. Another 81 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1633, 1681, 1687, 1692, 1783, 1812, 1833, 1876, 1884, 1894 and 1896 are included under the topic Early Sawyer History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sawyer Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Sawyer are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Sawyer include: Sawyer, Sawier, Sawer and others.

Early Notables of the Sawyer family

Notables of the family at this time include

  • Sir Robert Sawyer, of Highclere (1633-1692), Attorney General for England and Wales (1681-1687) and Speaker of the English House of Commons

Sawyer World Ranking

In the United States, the name Sawyer is the 514th most popular surname with an estimated 57,201 people with that name. [6] However, in Australia, the name Sawyer is ranked the 829th most popular surname with an estimated 4,737 people with that name. [7] And in the United Kingdom, the name Sawyer is the 831st popular surname with an estimated 8,164 people with that name. [8]


United States Sawyer migration to the United States +

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Sawyer or a variant listed above:

Sawyer Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • William Sawyer, who settled in Virginia in 1623
  • Thomas Sawyer, who arrived in Virginia in 1623 [9]
  • William Sawyer, who settled in Virginia in 1624
  • Francis Sawyer, who settled in Virginia in 1635
  • Fra Sawyer, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 [9]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Sawyer Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Eliza Sawyer, who landed in Virginia in 1700 [9]
Sawyer Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • William Sawyer, who arrived in Savanna(h), Georgia in 1806 [9]
  • C Sawyer, aged 30, who arrived in New York, NY in 1822 [9]
  • S Sawyer, aged 33, who arrived in New York, NY in 1822 [9]
  • John Sawyer, aged 15, who landed in Key West, Fla in 1837 [9]
  • George Sawyer, aged 50, who arrived in Key West, Fla in 1837 [9]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Sawyer migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Sawyer Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Michael Hyland Sawyer, who landed in Canada in 1812
  • Joseph Sawyer, who landed in Canada in 1831

Australia Sawyer migration to Australia +

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

Sawyer Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Thomas Sawyer, British Convict who was convicted in Oxford, Oxfordshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Earl St Vincent" on 6th April 1820, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [10]
  • William Sawyer, English convict from Middlesex, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on April 1st, 1822, settling in New South Wales, Australia [11]
  • Mr. William Sawyer, British Convict who was convicted in Surrey, England for life , transported aboard the "Commodore Hayes" in April 1823, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) [12]
  • Mr. William Sawyer, (Sayer), (b. 1799), aged 25, English farm labourer who was convicted in Suffolk, England for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the "Chapman" on 6th April 1824, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) [13]
  • Mr. John Sawyer, (b. 1811), aged 23, English soldier who was convicted in Woolwich, London, England for 14 years for desertion from the army, transported aboard the "Bengal Merchant" on 27th September 1834, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [14]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Sawyer 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:

Sawyer Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • John Sawyer, aged 24, a currier, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Aurora" in 1840
  • Mary Sawyer, aged 27, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Aurora" in 1840
  • John Sawyer, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1842
  • Miss Hannah Sawyer, (b. 1828), aged 30, British dressmaker and domestic servant travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Maori" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 14th April 1858 [15]
  • William Sawyer, aged 40, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bombay" in 1865 [16]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Sawyer (post 1700) +

  • Brett Sawyer (1960-2023), ring name of Brett Eugene Woyan, American professional wrestling trainer and professional wrestler
  • Thomas Charles "Tom" Sawyer (1945-2023), American politician, Member of the Ohio Senate (2007-2016), 58th Mayor of Akron, Ohio (1984-1986)
  • Connie Sawyer (1912-2018), born Rosie Cohen, an American stage, film and television actress, nicknamed "The Clown Princess of Comedy"
  • Daniel Edward Sawyer, American winner of an Olympic gold medal for golf at the 1904 Summer Games
  • William Edward Sawyer (1850-1883), American inventor
  • Charles W Sawyer (1887-1979), American politician, U.S. Secretary of Commerce from 1948 to 1953
  • Diane Sawyer (b. 1945), American television newscaster
  • Charles W. Sawyer, American fighter pilot and flying ace in the American Volunteer Group, during World War II, credited with 8 aerial victories
  • Andrew J. Sawyer (1844-1924), American politician, Mayor of Lincoln, Nebraska, 1887-89; U.S. Attorney for Nebraska, 1894-98 [17]
  • Amos Sawyer (1769-1842), American politician, Member of Massachusetts State House of Representatives [17]
  • ... (Another 122 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

HMS Prince of Wales
  • Mr. S Sawyer, British Able Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking [18]
Monongah Mine
  • Mr. Frank Sawyer (b. 1889), Italian coal miner who was in mine 6 at the Monongah mine on 6th December 1907 when it exploded and collapsed; he died [19]
RMS Titanic
  • Mr. Robert James Sawyer (d. 1912), aged 30, English Window Cleaner from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking [20]
  • Mr. Frederick Charles Sawyer (d. 1912), aged 33, English Third Class passenger from Basingstoke, Hampshire who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking and was recovered by CS Mackay-Bennett [20]


The Sawyer 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: Cherches et tu trouveras
Motto Translation: Search and you will find.


Suggested Readings for the name Sawyer +

  • Four Generation of the Descendants of William Sawyer of Newbury, Massachusetts, in 1644 by Noreen C. Pramberg.
  • A Genealogical Dictionary of the Early Sawyer Families of New England, ca 1632-1900 by Fred E. Sawyer.

  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  3. 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)
  4. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  5. 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)
  6. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  7. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  8. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  9. 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)
  10. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 10th September 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-st-vincent
  11. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Asia 1 voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1822 with 190 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1822
  12. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th March 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/commodore-hayes
  13. Convict Records of Australia. Retreived 26th January 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/chapman
  14. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 7th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bengal-merchant
  15. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  16. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 7th November 2010). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  17. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 23) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  18. HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
  19. Monongah Mining Disaster retrieved on 8th August 2021. (Retrieved fromhttps://usminedisasters.miningquiz.com/saxsewell/monongah.htm).
  20. Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html


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