Northay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The name Northay is of Anglo-Saxon origin and came from when the family lived in the north, or were people who lived to the north of a main settlement. Northay is a local surname, which belongs to the category of hereditary surnames. There are a variety of types of local surnames, some of which include: topographic surnames, which could be given to a person who lived beside any physical feature, such as a hill, stream, church or type of tree.

Early Origins of the Northay family

The surname Northay was first found in Sussex where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the census rolls taken by the ancient Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Early History of the Northay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Northay research. Another 90 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1535, 1581, 1601, 1602, 1609, 1637, 1640, 1641, 1642, 1652, 1656, 1666, 1671, 1677, 1678, 1685, 1691, 1695, 1709, 1734, 1743 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Northay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Northay 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 Northay 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. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. The variations of the name Northay include: North, Northe, Northey and others.

Early Notables of the Northay family

Distinguished members of the family include Sir Thomas North (1535-1601), English translator, whose works were used as sources by Shakespeare; Sir Henry North, 1st Baronet (ca.1609-1671), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1656 and 1671; Sir Edward Northey (1652-1743), a senior British barrister and politician; Dudley North, 3rd Baron North (1581-1666), an English nobleman, Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire (1640-1642); Dudley North, 4th Baron North K.B. (1602-1677), an English politician; Francis North, 1st Baron Guilford...
Another 79 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Northay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Northay family to Ireland

Some of the Northay family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 50 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Northay 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 Northay or a variant listed above: Thomas North, who arrived in Virginia in 1623; Joe North, who arrived in Virginia in 1635; John North, who settled in New England in 1635; Anne and Frank North who settled in Virginia in 1654.

The Northay 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: Animo et fide
Motto Translation: By courage and faith.