Edwurthie History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The Edwurthie surname is derived from the old English word "Eadweard" which means "prosperity guard." 1 Prior to the Norman Conquest of England, Edward was a common personal name; its popularity probably due to the fact that Edward the Confessor (1003-1066) had been the Patron Saint of England before Saint George.

Early Origins of the Edwurthie family

The surname Edwurthie was first found in Wiltshire where Edward of Salisbury, also known as Edward the Sheriff (of Wiltshire) held land at the time of the Domesday Survey. He was an ancestor of Earls of Salisbury.

The name appeared as Eaduuardus, Eduuardus, Eduuard in the Domesday Book. 2

Kirby's Quest of Somerset listed William Edward in Somerset, 1 Edward III (during the first year's reign of King Edward III.) 3 The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 lists: Adam Edward; Willelmus Edward, taylour; and Ricardus Edward. 4

Early History of the Edwurthie family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Edwurthie research. Another 153 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1206, 1219, 1279, 1283, 1471, 1523, 1540, 1547, 1563, 1576, 1582, 1597, 1615, 1637, 1658, 1678, 1711, 1801 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Edwurthie History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Edwurthie Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Edwurthie include Edwards, Edward, Edwardes and others.

Early Notables of the Edwurthie family

Distinguished members of the family include Humphrey Edwards (1582-1658), one of the regicides of King Charles I of England, attended Shrewsbury School in 1615, appointed a gentleman to King Charles I of England in 1637.Richard Edwardes, a native of Somersetshire, born in 1523. He was educated under George Etheridge, 'one of the most excellent vocal and instrumental musicians in England' -of whom however nothing more is known. On May 11, 1540, he was admitted a scholar of Corpus Christi College, Oxford. In 1547, on the foundation of Christ Church College, he became a student there, and in the...
Another 98 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Edwurthie Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Edwurthie family to Ireland

Some of the Edwurthie family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 67 words (5 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 Edwurthie family

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Edwurthie were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: Old Edward who arrived at Jamestown, Virginia in 1607; John Edward who settled in Virginia in 1699; Richard Edward, who settled in St. Christopher in 1633.

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)