Show ContentsEthcearde History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Ethcearde belongs to the early history of Britain, it's origins lie with the Anglo-Saxons. It is a product of their having lived in Bedfordshire. Their name, however, translates as the dweller at the eastern cottage, and indicates that the original bearer lived in such a place. 1

Early Origins of the Ethcearde family

The surname Ethcearde was first found in Bedfordshire, where Gundwinus de Estcota was listed in the Pipe Rolls of 1190. 2 The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed: Richard de Estcott, Wiltshire; and Hugh de Estcote, Cambridgeshire. 3

Later the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex listed Robert atte Estcote in 1327. 2

Eastcourt is a hamlet, in the parish of Crudwell, union and hundred of Malmesbury, Malmesbury and Kingswood divisions of Wiltshire 4 and there are at least three villages name Eastcott (Wiltshire (2), Middlesex.) The oldest was Eastcourt, Wiltshire which dates back to Saxon times when it was known as Escote. Eastcott, Wiltshire dates back to 1167 and it was known as Estcota at that time. 5

Early History of the Ethcearde family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ethcearde research. Another 69 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1563, 1570, 1571, 1572, 1584, 1586, 1587, 1601, 1607, 1624, 1628, 1629, 1668, 1676, 1684, 1712, 1793 and 1828 are included under the topic Early Ethcearde History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ethcearde 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 Ethcearde include Estcourt, Estcott, Estcotte, Eastcourt, Escott and many more.

Early Notables of the Ethcearde family

Distinguished members of the family include Sir Thomas Estcourt (c. 1570-1624), an English lawyer and politician, High Sheriff of Gloucestershire in 1607, Member of Parliament for Gloucestershire in 1624; Sir Edward Estcourt of Salisbury; Richard Estcourt (1668-1712), an early English actor, active playing comedy parts in Dublin; and Sir Giles Estcourt, 1st Baronet (c. 1601-1668), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1628 to 1629, supporter of the Royalist cause in the English Civil War. He was from Newton in the County of Wiltshire and his descendants include: Sir Giles Estcourt, 2nd Baronet (died c. 1676); and...
Another 142 words (10 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Ethcearde Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Ethcearde 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 Ethcearde were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: Thomas Escott who settled in Virginia in 1680.



  1. Charnock, Richard, Stephen, Ludus Patronymicus of The Etymology of Curious Surnames. London: Trubner & Co., 60 Paternoster Row, 1868. Print.
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  4. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  5. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)


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