Show ContentsNewdgate History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The present generation of the Newdgate family is only the most recent to bear a name that dates back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name comes from having lived in the settlement of Newdigate in the county of Surrey. The surname Newdgate 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 Newdgate family

The surname Newdgate was first found in Surrey at Newdigate, a village and civil parish in the Mole Valley which dates back to 1167 where it was listed as Niudegate and literally meant "gate by the new wood" from the Old English words niwe + wudu + geat. 1

Early History of the Newdgate family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Newdgate research. Another 93 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1181, 1500, 1535, 1571, 1602, 1610, 1640, 1644, 1660, 1668, 1677, 1678, 1709 and 1727 are included under the topic Early Newdgate History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Newdgate 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 Newdgate include Newdegate, Niwodegate, Newdigate, Newgate and others.

Early Notables of the Newdgate family

Notables of the family at this time include Sebastian Newdigate, O.Cart., (1500-1535), the seventh child of John Newdigate, Sergeant-at-law; he was executed for treason on June 19th, 1535 for his refusal to accept Henry VIII's assumption of supremacy over the Church in England, he was beatified by the Catholic Church; Sir John Newdigate (1571-1610)...
Another 53 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Newdgate Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Newdgate 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 Newdgate were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: John Newgate (also Newdegate) settled in Boston in 1635; Jane Newdigate, who settled in Virginia in 1664; and Nathaniel Newdigate, who arrived in Rhode Island in 1750..



The Newdgate Motto +

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: Confide recte agens
Motto Translation: Trust in fair dealing.


  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)


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