Show ContentsCassandra History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Cassandra reached England in the great wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. It is based on de Cassagne, the name of the House of the Lords of Montagu, who were a family of distinction from the province of Bearne, France. [1]

Early Origins of the Cassandra family

The surname Cassandra was first found in Hampshire, where a Ralph Cattessone was on record in 1115. Other early records include Robert Casseson in 1327 in the Subsidy Rolls of Cambridgeshire, John Catessone, on record in the Feet of Fines of Suffolk in 1366, and William Casson in the Register of the Freemen of the City of York in 1601. [2]

Early History of the Cassandra family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cassandra research. Another 62 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1789, 1815, 1820, 1821, 1829 and 1841 are included under the topic Early Cassandra History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cassandra Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Cassandra has been recorded under many different variations, including Cassan, Cassane, Casson and others.

Early Notables of the Cassandra family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Stephen Hyde Cassan (1789-1841), English ecclesiastical biographer, son of Stephen Cassan, barrister, by his wife Sarah, daughter of Charles Mears, born in 1789 at Calcutta, where his father was sheriff. He was educated at Magdalen Hall, Oxford, and took his B.A. degree on 14 Jan. 1815. He received deacon's orders on 26 March following, and was ordained priest the next year. While curate of Frome...
Another 72 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Cassandra Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Cassandra family to Ireland

Some of the Cassandra family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Cassandra family

To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Cassandras were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America: Anty and Monty Cassan, both bonded passengers, who arrived in Boston Massachusetts in 1849; Andrew Cassan who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1850.


Contemporary Notables of the name Cassandra (post 1700) +

  • Alice Cassandra Patten, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Texas, 1980 [3]
  • Cassandra Caroline Mary Jardine (1954-2012), British journalist, best known for her work at The Daily Telegraph
  • Cassandra Smith-Gray, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Michigan, 2004 [4]
  • Cassandra Quin Butts (1965-2016), American lawyer, Senior Advisor in the Office of the Chief Executive Officer at the Millennium Challenge Corporation
  • Cassandra Sawtell (b. 1997), Canadian Young Artist Award nominated actress, known for her work in She's the Man (2006), The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009) and Good Luck Chuck (2007)
  • Cassandra B. Laymon, American assistant director, known for her work on Kamen Rider: Dragon Knight (2008), All Cheerleaders Die (2013) and Park (2006)
  • Cassandra Escue (b. 1959), American actress, known for her work on Roller Boogie (1979)
  • Cassandra Elizabeth Austen (1773-1845), English watercolourist, the elder sister of Jane Austen
  • Cassandra Magrath (b. 1981), Australian actress
  • Cassandra Harris (1948-1991), Australian actress


The Cassandra 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: Prosequor alis
Motto Translation: I follow with speed.


  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 14) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  4. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 2) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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