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![Show Contents]() Alorenshaw History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England
The ancestors of the name Alorenshaw date back to the days of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from their residence at the village of Ravenshaw, in Warwickshire. Alorenshaw is a topographic surname, which was given to a person who resided near a physical feature such as a hill, stream, church, or type of tree. In this case the surname was originally derived from the Old English words used to refer to those individuals who lived near the raven wood, indicating that the original bearers lived near a forest that was occupied by many ravens. Early Origins of the Alorenshaw familyThe surname Alorenshaw was first found in Lancashire where the first on record was Stephen de Ravenshagh, listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Lancashire in 1332. 1 However, another source claims the family were from Ravenshaw, "some small but, I fear, lost spot in East Cheshire." 2 We are somewhat cautious about the last author's claim as the first record of the family in Cheshire was relatively late: Sir Ralphe Raynshae, vicar of Potte in 1548, more that two hundred years after the aforementioned first listing in 1332. But from the 1548 listing, there are numerous listings in East Cheshire in the 16th and 17th centuries including those found in the Wills at Chester: John Ravenshaw, of Walkerton in 1673; John Rainshaw, of Sale, 1647; John Renshaw, yeoman, of Mobberley, 1661; John Renshall, of Sale, 1679; Ralph Renshall, of Mobberley, 1680; and Richard Renshaw, of Sale, 1680. 2 Early History of the Alorenshaw familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Alorenshaw research. Another 82 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Alorenshaw History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Alorenshaw Spelling VariationsAlorenshaw has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Alorenshaw have been found, including Renshaw, Ravenshaw, Renshall, Olerenshaw and many more. Early Notables of the Alorenshaw familyMore information is included under the topic Early Alorenshaw Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Alorenshaw familyIn an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Alorenshaws to arrive on North American shores: Henry Renshaw, who settled in Virginia in 1763 with his wife Isabella; Christopher Renshaw arrived in Philadelphia in 1750; David, Francis, Hugh, James, William Renshaw all arrived in Philadelphia between 1800 and 1870..
- 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)
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