Gorrowy History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The ancestors of the Gorrowy surname lived among the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. The name comes from when they 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 Gorrowy family

The surname Gorrowy 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 Gorrowy family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gorrowy research. Another 103 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1575, 1595, 1617, 1639, 1646, 1661, 1679, 1681, 1685, 1689 and 1701 are included under the topic Early Gorrowy History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gorrowy Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Gorrowy include Garroway, Garreway, Carroway, Garraway, Carraway and others.

Early Notables of the Gorrowy 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 Anderton, was baptised in London at the church of St. Peter-le-Poer, Broad Street, 17 April 1575. He was one of seventeen...
Another 68 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Gorrowy Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Gorrowy family to Ireland

Some of the Gorrowy 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 Gorrowy family

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: 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)