Show ContentsAtherage History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Atherage was spawned by the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture that ruled a majority of Britain. It comes from the name Aldrich. The surname Atherage originally derived from the Old English word aeoelric, which later became the name Aldrich. Literally the name means "noble ruler." 1

Early Origins of the Atherage family

The surname Atherage was first found in Berkshire, where this first of the family, Aethericus was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086. 2 The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed Jacobus Atteriche as holding lands there at that time. 3

Early History of the Atherage family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Atherage research. Another 80 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1524, 1534, 1588, 1636, 1664, 1668, 1676, 1692, 1773 and 1786 are included under the topic Early Atherage History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Atherage Spelling Variations

Atherage 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 Atherage have been found, including Etheridge, Etheredge, Etherege, Etherige, Ettridge, Etridge, Attridge and many more.

Early Notables of the Atherage family

Notables of the family at this time include Sir James Etheridge; George Etherege or Ethrygg (in Latin Edrycus) (fl. 1588), an English classical scholar and physician. He was born at Thame, Oxfordshire, was admitted a scholar of Corpus Christi College, Oxford, 11 Nov. 1534, being placed under...
Another 47 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Atherage Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Atherage family

In 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 Atherages to arrive on North American shores: Henry Etheridge who settled in Virginia in 1654; Sarah Etheridge who settled in New England in 1773; Thomas Etheridge settled in Maryland in 1722. From these settlers was descended the distinguished family of the U.S.A. as recorded in Burke's..



  1. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)


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