Goraway History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The ancestors of the name Goraway date back to the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from when the Goraway family lived on a road near a field or piece of land that was triangular in shape. Further research revealed that the name is derived from the Old English words gara, meaning "triangular piece of land," and weg, meaning "path" or "road."

Early Origins of the Goraway family

The surname Goraway was first found in Herefordshire at Garway, a parish, in the union of Monmouth, Lower division of the hundred of Wormelow. 1 2

One of the first records of the family was Walter de Garewy who was listed there in 1228. A few years later, William and Walter Garwy were listed in Essex in 1236 and later in the Subsidy Rolls for Worcestershire in 1327. John Gorewy was listed in the Assize Rolls for Kent in 1317. 3

Early History of the Goraway family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Goraway research. Another 103 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1575, 1595, 1639 and 1646 are included under the topic Early Goraway History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Goraway Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Goraway are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Goraway include: Garroway, Garreway, Carroway, Garraway, Carraway and others.

Early Notables of the Goraway family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Sir Henry Garraway (1575-1646), an English merchant in London, member of the Worshipful Company of Drapers, Lord Mayor of London in 1639. He was the son of Sir William Garraway, Chief Farmer of the Customs, and his wife, Elizabeth...
Another 47 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Goraway Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Goraway family to Ireland

Some of the Goraway family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Goraway family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Goraway or a variant listed above: Joan Carroway and her husband John, who settled in Virginia in 1635; Roger Carroway settled in Nevis in 1654; along with his brother William; Jeremiah Garroway settled in Annapolis Maryland in 1723.

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, 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)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)