Eastwich History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Early Origins of the Eastwich family

The surname Eastwich was first found in East Hertfordshire at Eastwick, a hamlet which now forms the civil parish of Eastwick and Gilston. 1 2 The place name dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 when it was listed as Esteuuiche 3 and literally meant "east dwelling or dairy farm," having derived from the Old English words "east' + "wic." 4 The Parish Church of St Mary dates from the 13th century.

Here we also find the first records of the family, that of Wluuinus de Esteuuiche in the Domesday Book of 1086. 3 While many claim to trace their family name back to the Domesday, few can really do so and even fewer actually have an entry as a forename and surname as most are the singular surname only.

Hence, the surname is descended from the tenant of the lands of Eastwick, held by Geoffrey de Bec a "great Baron" who was recorded in the Domesday Book. Geoffrey's brother was the standard bearer at the Battle of Hastings. Later in Sussex, the Subsidy Rolls listed William de Estwyke in 1296. 5

Early History of the Eastwich family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Eastwich research. Another 71 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1066, 1657, 1692, 1696, 1701, 1712, 1739, 1814, 1836, 1845 and 1883 are included under the topic Early Eastwich History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Eastwich Spelling Variations

Before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Sound was what guided spelling in the Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Eastwich family name include Eastwick, Eastwich, Estwick, Estwich, Eastick, Eastich and many more.

Early Notables of the Eastwich family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Rev. Sampson Estwick, born 1657, was one of the children of the Chapel Royal under Captain Henry Cooke. Upon quitting the chapel on the breaking of his voice he went to Oxford, took holy orders and became one of the chaplains of Christ Church. In 1692 he was appointed a minor canon of St. Paul's. On Nov. 17, 1696, he preached at Christ Church, Oxford, 'upon occasion of the Anniversary Meeting of the Lovers of Musick on St.Cæcilia's day,' a sermon upon 'The Usefulness of Church Musick,' which was printed in the following...
Another 166 words (12 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Eastwich Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Eastwich family

To escape the political and religious chaos of this era, thousands of English families began to migrate to the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. The passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe; however, those who made the voyage safely were encountered opportunities that were not available to them in their homeland. Many of the families that reached the New World at this time went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of the United States and Canada. Research into various historical records has revealed some of first members of the Eastwich family to immigrate 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..

Citations +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)