Show ContentsApplegarth History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancient Scottish name Applegarth was first used by the Strathclyde-Briton people of the Scottish/English Borderlands. The original bearer of the name lived in Dumfries. The Applegarth surname comes from the northern Middle English applegarth, meaning "apple orchard." The name may have been originally used for someone who lived near an orchard, or it may have been a habitational name from a place so named, of which there are examples in Cumbria and North and East Yorkshire, and in the county of Dumfries.

Early Origins of the Applegarth family

The surname Applegarth was first found in Dumfriesshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Dhùn Phris), a Southern area, bordering on England that today forms part of the Dumfries and Galloway Council Area, where they held a family seat at Applegarth, near Lockerbie.

Early History of the Applegarth family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Applegarth research. Another 121 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1190, 1284 and 1340 are included under the topic Early Applegarth History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Applegarth Spelling Variations

The many spelling variations in Medieval Scottish names result from the fact that scribes in that era spelled words according to sound. Translation too, was an undeveloped science, and many names were altered into complete obscurity. Over the years Applegarth has been spelled Aplegath, Aplegarth, Applegarth, Applegate and others.

Early Notables of the Applegarth family

Notable amongst the family at this time was

  • Applegarth of Dumfries


Australia Applegarth migration to Australia +

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

Applegarth Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Henry Applegarth, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Santipore" in 1850 [1]

Contemporary Notables of the name Applegarth (post 1700) +

  • William Reuben "Willie" Applegarth (1890-1958), British gold and bronze medalist Olympic athlete at the 1912 Summer Olympics; in 1922 emigrated to America, where became track and soccer coach at Mercersburg Academy in Pennsylvania
  • Adam J. Applegarth (b. 1962), British business executive, former CEO of the Northern Rock bank
  • Mark Applegarth (b. 1984), professional English rugby league footballer
  • Robert Applegarth (1834-1924), prominent British trade unionist and proponent of working class causes

HMS Hood
  • Mr. Richard Applegarth (b. 1924), English Leading Signalman serving for the Royal Navy from East Boldon, South Shields, County Durham, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking [2]


Suggested Readings for the name Applegarth +

  • Skookum: An Oregon Pioneer Family's History and Lore by Shannon Applegate.

  1. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) SANTIPORE 1850. Retrieved http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1850Santipore.gif
  2. H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm


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