Show ContentsOatway History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Oatway is an old Anglo-Saxon name. It comes from when a family lived in the region of Ottway. Oatway is a topographic surname, which was given to a person who resided near a physical feature such as a hill, stream, church, or type of tree. Habitation names form the other broad category of surnames that were derived from place-names. They were derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.

Early Origins of the Oatway family

The surname Oatway was first found in Westmorland 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 Oatway family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Oatway research. Another 59 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1615, 1652, 1671, 1680, 1682, 1685, 1692 and 1693 are included under the topic Early Oatway History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Oatway Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Oatway were recorded, including Otway, Ottway, Ottaway, Otaway, Otawa and others.

Early Notables of the Oatway family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Sir John Otway; and Thomas Otway (1652-1685), an English dramatist of the Restoration period, best known for Venice Preserv'd, or...
Another 27 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Oatway Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Oatway family to Ireland

Some of the Oatway family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 104 words (7 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Oatway migration to the United States +

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Oatway family emigrate to North America:

Oatway Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Ellen Oatway, aged 30, arrived in New York City, New York in 1894 aboard the ship "Etruria" from Liverpool & Queenstown 1
Oatway Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • George Henry Oatway, aged 46, originally from London, England, arrived in New York in 1909 aboard the ship "Cedric" from Liverpool, England 1
  • George H. Oatway, aged 47, originally from London, England, arrived in New York in 1910 aboard the ship "Celtic" from Liverpool, England 1
  • Harry Oatway, aged 49, originally from London, England, arrived in New York in 1916 aboard the ship "Tuscania" from Liverpool, England 1

Australia Oatway migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Oatway Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Edwin Oatway, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Duke of Bedford" in 1848 2

Contemporary Notables of the name Oatway (post 1700) +

  • Devin Neil Oatway (b. 1978), American actor, known for The Legend of Galgameth (1996), Camp Nowhere (1994) and Locust Valley (1999)
  • Anthony Philip David Terry "Charlie" Oatway (b. 1973), English former footballer
  • James Oatway (b. 1978), South African photojournalist based in Johannesburg, Chief Photographer of the Sunday Times (South Africa) until 2016
  • Derek Oatway (1931-2003), Bermudian swimmer at the 1948 Summer Olympics
  • Alby Oatway (1913-1971), Australian rules footballer who played for St Kilda in 1941

HMS Repulse
  • Mr. Clarence I Oatway, British Petty Officer, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 3


The Oatway 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: Si Deus nobiscum quis contra nos
Motto Translation: If God be with us who can be against us?.


  1. Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
  2. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) DUKE OF BEDFORD 1848. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1848DukeofBedford.htm
  3. HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html


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