Show ContentsAmwick History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Amwick family

The surname Amwick was first found in Northumberland in Alnwick, a market town and parish, and the head of a union, in the E. division of Coquetdale ward. "This place, which is of great antiquity, was occupied at a very early period by the Danes or Saxons, who called it Ealnwic, from its situation near the river Alne, and built a strong Castle for its defence on a site supposed to have been previously occupied by a Roman fortress. The castle thus erected, after the Norman Conquest, became the baronial residence of Ivo de Vescy, lord of Alnwick, to whom the barony had been given by the Conqueror. " 1

Alnwick Castle survives today and is the seat of His Grace The 12th Duke of Northumberland. William of Alnwick (d. 1449), was an early English divine, Bishop of Norwich (1426-1436), and of Lincoln (1436-1449), who was born at Alnwick in Northumberland, and from which he derived his name. 2

Early History of the Amwick family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Amwick research. Another 126 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1069, 1230, 1455 and 1487 are included under the topic Early Amwick History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Amwick Spelling Variations

Before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Sound was what guided spelling in the Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Amwick family name include Alnwick, Alnick, Annick, Annicke, Almwake, Alnwyk and others.

Early Notables of the Amwick family

More information is included under the topic Early Amwick Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Amwick family

To escape the political and religious chaos of this era, thousands of English families began to migrate to the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. The passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe; however, those who made the voyage safely were encountered opportunities that were not available to them in their homeland. Many of the families that reached the New World at this time went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of the United States and Canada. Research into various historical records has revealed some of first members of the Amwick family to immigrate North America: Amick, aged 58, who arrived at Ellis Island, in 1904; Adele Amick, aged 42, who arrived at Ellis Island from Paris, France, in 1910; J. W. Amick, aged 46, who arrived at Ellis Island, in 1904.



  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


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