Show ContentsCalmady History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Calmady family

The surname Calmady was first found in Devon where "Langdon was for several generations till recently the seat of the Calmadys. "1

By the 13th century, the family held the estates of Wembury in Devon. "The church [of Membury] contains a monument to the memory of Sir S. Calmady, who was mortally wounded at the siege of Ford House, during the great civil war." 2

Early History of the Calmady family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Calmady research. Another 141 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1080, 1142, 1149, 1162, 1163, 1455, 1487, 1510, 1600, 1619, 1635, 1642, 1645, 1660, 1666, 1671, 1683, 1685, 1686, 1697, 1732 and 1755 are included under the topic Early Calmady History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Calmady Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Calmady were recorded, including Calmady, Kalmady, Galmady, Callmady, Calmadie, Calmadee, Calmadey, Callamadee and many more.

Early Notables of the Calmady family

Distinguished members of the family include

  • Sir Shilston Calmady (died 1645), English soldier in the English Civil War, killed in action; and his son, Josias Calmady (1619-1683), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons, Member of...

Migration of the Calmady family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Calmady family emigrate to North America: the name represented in many forms and recorded from the mid 17th century in the great migration from Europe. Migrants settled in the eastern seaboard from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands..



The Calmady 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: Simili frondescit virga metallo
Motto Translation: The twig has leaves of similar metal.


  1. Worth, R.N., A History of Devonshire London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, E.G., 1895. Digital
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


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