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![Show Contents]() Epwithey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England
The ancestry of the name Epwithey dates from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It comes from when the family lived in either of the settlements called Hepworth in Suffolk and the West Riding of Yorkshire. The surname Epwithey belongs to the large category of Anglo-Saxon habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads. Early Origins of the Epwithey familyThe surname Epwithey was first found in Yorkshire at Hepworth, a small village which dates back to at least the Domesday Book where it was listed as Heppeuuord 1and Heppeword, part of the Burghshire wapentake. 2 More recently, Hepworth is famous as one of the locations for the BBC's long-running comedy series Last of the Summer Wine. Early History of the Epwithey familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Epwithey research. Another 70 words (5 lines of text) covering the year 1257 is included under the topic Early Epwithey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Epwithey Spelling VariationsSpelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Epwithey have been found, including Hepworth, Hepworthe and others. Early Notables of the Epwithey familyMore information is included under the topic Early Epwithey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Epwithey familyFamilies began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Epwithey, or a variant listed above: Joseph Hepworth settled in Barbados in 1634; James, Benjamin, Luke, Richard, Thomas and William Hepworth settled in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860..
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: Loyal au mort
Motto Translation: Faithful unto death.
- Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
- Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
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