Derbyshire History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Derbyshire or a variant listed above:

Derbyshire Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• Elizabeth Derbyshire, who settled in Maryland in 1774

Derbyshire Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Thomas Derbyshire, who landed in New York in 1811 2
• Elliot, Francis, Henry, James, John, Thomas, and William Derbyshire, who arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Derbyshire Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

• Mr. George Derbyshire, aged 21 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Sir Robert Peel" departing from the port of Liverpool, England but died on Grosse Isle in 14th September 1847 3
• Mr. George Derbyshire, aged 32 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Sir Robert Peel" departing 26th July 1847 from Liverpool, England; the ship arrived on 19th September 1847 but he died on board 4

Derbyshire Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Mr. Thomas Derbyshire, British Convict who was convicted in Derby, Derbyshire, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Elizabeth" on 11th August 1820, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 5
• Mr. John Derbyshire, British convict who was convicted in Chester, Cheshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Bussorah Merchant" on 1st October 1829, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 6
• Mr. Thomas Derbyshire, British convict who was convicted in Chester, Cheshire, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Bussorah Merchant" on 1st October 1829, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 6
• Mr. James Derbyshire, English convict who was convicted in Chester, Cheshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Aurora" on 18th June 1835, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 7
• Miss Elizabeth Derbyshire, English convict who was convicted in Stafford, Staffordshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Emma Eugenia" on 16th November 1841, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 8
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Derbyshire Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

• P. Derbyshire, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Countess of Kintore" in 1873

• John Derbyshire (b. 1945), British-born, American writer, journalist and commentator, awarded the Euler Book Prize in 2004
• Matthew Anthony "Matt" Derbyshire (b. 1986), English professional footballer
• Andrew George Derbyshire, English barrister from a long line of Derbyshire lawyers in England
• Victoria Derbyshire (b. 1968), British journalist and broadcaster
• Paul Derbyshire (b. 1986), Italian rugby union player
• Eileen Derbyshire MBE (b. 1929), British character actress, best known for her role as Emily Bishop in Coronation Street
• Delia Derbyshire (1937-2001), British musician and composer, best known for theme music to the British science fiction television series Doctor Who
• John Henry Derbyshire (1878-1938), British two time Olympic gold medalist for swimming at 1900 and 1908 games