Saffedge History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland
Ireland

Early Origins of the Saffedge family

The surname Saffedge was first found in Cheshire at Barrow, a parish, in the union of Great Boughton, Second division of the hundred of Eddisbury. "[Barrow] consists of Great and Little Barrow. It was given by Ranulph, Earl of Chester, to his nephew William de Albini, Earl of Arundel. The two manors were at a later period possessed by the Despencers, and, after their attainder, were granted by Edward III. to Sir Roger de Swinerton, an heiress of whose family brought them, in marriage, to Sir John Savage, who was knighted by Henry V. at the battle of Agincourt." 1

"Savage is an ancient Gloucestershire name, which was represented as Savage or Sauvage in this county as well as in Wilts, in the reign of Edward I. In that reign it was also numerous in one form or the other in Cambridgeshire and Norfolk, where it is still established." 2

"This surname is derived from a nickname. 'the savage.'" 3

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list: Walter Salvage in Oxfordshire: and Robert le Savage in Suffolk. The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 list: Beatrix Sawage; and Robertus Sawfage. 3

Early History of the Saffedge family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Saffedge research. Another 116 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1176, 1177, 1358, 1382, 1385, 1386, 1390, 1391, 1393, 1396, 1400, 1401, 1402, 1403, 1404, 1406, 1410, 1463, 1507, 1519, 1603, 1608, 1628, 1635, 1654, 1682, 1694, 1760, 1843 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Saffedge History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Saffedge Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, Anglo-Norman surnames like Saffedge are characterized by many spelling variations. 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. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages such as Norman French and Latin, even literate people regularly changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Saffedge include Savage, Sauvage, Savidge, Savadge and others.

Early Notables of the Saffedge family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Sir Arnold Savage of Bobbing, Kent (1358-1410), the English Speaker of the House of Commons (1400-1402) and (1403-1404), a Knight of the Shire of Kent who was referred to as "the great comprehensive symbol of the English people", appointed Sheriff of Kent for 1382 and 1386, knighted in 1385, elected knight of the shire (MP) for Kent in 1390, 1391, 1401, 1402 and 1404, being elected speaker twice, constable of Queenborough castle from 1393 to...
Another 83 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Saffedge Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Saffedge family to Ireland

Some of the Saffedge family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 162 words (12 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 Saffedge family

Faced with the chaos present in England at that time, many English families looked towards the open frontiers of the New World with its opportunities to escape oppression and starvation. People migrated to North America, as well as Australia and Ireland in droves, paying exorbitant rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, but those who did see the shores of North America were welcomed with great opportunity. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America carried the name Saffedge, or a variant listed above: Robert and Thomas Savadge settled in Virginia in 1623; Ann, Frank, Mart, Thomas Savage settled in Virginia in 1635; John Savage with his wife and children settled in Fort Cumberland Nova Scotia in 1774.

The Saffedge 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: A te pro te
Motto Translation: From thee, for thee.

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. 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)