Contents [hide]

Rashleigh History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables

Ireland United States Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Related Stories Citations

Rashleigh History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Early Origins of the Rashleigh family

The surname Rashleigh was first found in Devon at Rashleigh "in the parish of Wemworthy, gave name [to] this ancient family , the elder line of which became extinct in the reign of Henry VII. John Rashleigh, a merchant of Fowley, was the first who settled in Cornwall, and was in fact founder of the present family." 1 2

"Duporth [Cornwall] is the seat of Charles Rashleigh, Esq. a gentleman descended from an ancient family of that name which long resided near South Molton in Devonshire. The branch from which those in Cornwall descended, came into this county about the middle of the sixteenth century. Few names are at present better known in Cornwall than that of Rashleigh, or more regarded for respectability, influence, and virtue." 3

Early History of the Rashleigh family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rashleigh research. Another 180 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1545, 1554, 1580, 1591, 1608, 1614, 1619, 1624, 1661, 1675, 1693 and 1698 are included under the topic Early Rashleigh History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rashleigh 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 Rashleigh 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 Rashleigh include: Rashleigh, Rashliegh, Rashly, Rashley and others.

Early Notables of the Rashleigh family

Distinguished members of the family include

John Rashleigh (1554-1624), an English merchant and Member of Parliament, High Sheriff of Cornwall in 1608
Jonathan Rashleigh (1591-1675), an English merchant and politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1614 and 1675, supporter of Royalist cause during the Civil War

Migration of the Rashleigh family to Ireland

Some of the Rashleigh 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.

Rashleigh migration to the United States +

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 Rashleigh or a variant listed above:

Rashleigh Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Charles Rashleigh, who settled in New York in 1822

Rashleigh migration to Australia +

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

Rashleigh Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

William R. Rashleigh, aged 24, who arrived in South Australia in 1852 aboard the ship "Caucasian" 4
Thomas Rashleigh, aged 18, who arrived in South Australia in 1852 aboard the ship "Caucasian" 4
Caroline Rashleigh, aged 20, a domestic servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1852 aboard the ship "Caucasian" 4
Mr. Francis Rashleigh, (b. 1796), aged 57, Cornish agricultural labourer departing from Plymouth on 7th April 1853 aboard the ship "Euphemus" arriving in Geelong, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia on 18th July 1853 5
Mrs. Priscilla Rashleigh, (b. 1806), aged 47, Cornish settler departing from Plymouth on 7th April 1853 aboard the ship "Euphemus" arriving in Geelong, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia on 18th July 1853 5
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Rashleigh migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Rashleigh Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

John J. Rashleigh, aged 25, a farm labourer, who arrived in Hawkes Bay aboard the ship "Inverness" in 1875
Priscilla Rashleigh, aged 24, who arrived in Hawkes Bay aboard the ship "Inverness" in 1875
Mr. Jonathan L. Rashleigh, (b. 1850), aged 25, Cornish farm labourer departing on 21st August 1875 aboard the ship "Inverness" going to Hawkes Bay, New Zealand arriving in port on 28th November 1875 6
Mrs. Priscilla Rashleigh, (b. 1851), aged 24, Cornish settler departing on 21st August 1875 aboard the ship "Inverness" going to Hawkes Bay, New Zealand arriving in port on 28th November 1875 6
Mr. Frederick Rashleigh, (b. 1874), aged 3, Cornish departing on 31st July 1877 aboard the ship "Otaki" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 4th November 1877 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Rashleigh (post 1700) +

William Rashleigh (1867-1937), English cricketer who played first-class cricket for Kent and Oxford University (1885-1901)
William Rashleigh (1817-1871), English Conservative Party politician, Member of Parliament for East Cornwall (1841-1847)
Sir Richard Harry Rashleigh (b. 1958), 6th Baronet of Prideaux in the County of Cornwall, English peer
Sir Harry Evelyn Battie Rashleigh (1923-1984), 5th Baronet of Prideaux in the County of Cornwall, English peer
Sir Colman Battie Walpole Rashleigh (1873-1951), 4th Baronet of Prideaux in the County of Cornwall, English peer
Sir Colman Battie Rashleigh (1846-1907), 3rd Baronet of Prideaux in the County of Cornwall, English peer
Sir Colman Rashleigh (1819-1896), 2nd Baronet of Prideaux in the County of Cornwall, English peer
Sir John Colman Rashleigh (1772-1847), 1st Baronet of Prideaux in the County of Cornwall, English peer
William Rashleigh (1777-1855), English politician and landowner from Cornwall, Member of Parliament for Fowey (1812-1818), nephew of William Rashleigh, the English antiquary
Jonathan Rashleigh (1820-1905), English cricketer active in the early 1840s; in 1873 he was the largest landowner in Cornwall with an estate of 30, 156 acres
... (Another 3 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Citations +

Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
South Australian Register Tuesday 3 February 1852. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) BARQUE CAUCASIAN 1852. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/caucasian1852.shtml
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_australia_victoria.pdf
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to other ports, 1872 - 84 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/new_zealand_assisted.pdf
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to Auckland 1872-80 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/new_zealand_assisted.pdf