Show ContentsEdgwithy History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The history of the Edgwithy family goes back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It is derived from the family living in the parish of Edgeworth, Gloucestershire, and/or at Edgworth in Lancashire.

Early Origins of the Edgwithy family

The surname Edgwithy was first found in Edgworth, a township in the chapelry of Turton, in the hundred of Salford, Lancashire. It comprises 2960 acres of pasture and moor and dates back to 1212 when it was listed as Eggewrthe. The name probably means "enclosure on an edge or hillside" from the Old English "ecg" + "worth." 1

Edgeworth is a small village and civil parish in Gloucestershire that had only 149 inhabitants as of 1848. 2

Edgeworth, later called Edgeware was a village in Middlesex that was the original homestead of Roger Edgeworth, the Elizabethan monk whose family emigrated to Ireland. 3 Stephen de Eddeworth was Warden of the City of London in 1268.

Early History of the Edgwithy family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Edgwithy research. Another 107 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1280, 1554, 1560, 1583, 1593, 1619, 1641 and 1646 are included under the topic Early Edgwithy History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Edgwithy Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Edgwithy include Edgeworth, Edgworth, Edgeware, Edgeworthe and others.

Early Notables of the Edgwithy family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Roger Edgeworth (d. 1560), was a Catholic divine, born at Holt Castle, the seat of Sir William Stanley, brother to the Earl of Derby. He was a canon of the cathedrals of Salisbury and Wells...
Another 42 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Edgwithy Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Edgwithy family to Ireland

Some of the Edgwithy family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 162 words (12 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Edgwithy family

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Edgwithy or a variant listed above: John Edgeworth who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1786; followed by George and Robert Edgeworth in 1868.



The Edgwithy 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: Constans contraria spernit
Motto Translation: The resolute man despises difficulties.


  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  3. Burke, John Esq. A Genealogical and Heraldic History of The Landed Gentry; or Commoners of Great Britian and Ireland. London: Henry Colburn Publisher, 13, Great Marlborough Street, 1837, Print.


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