Semcick History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The Atlantic Ocean to the north and west and the English Channel to the south borders Cornwall, the homeland to the Semcick family name. Even though the usage of surnames was common during the Middle Ages, all English people were known only by a single name in early times. The manner in which hereditary surnames arose is interesting. Local surnames are derived from where the original bearer lived, was born, or held land. The Semcick family originally lived in the village of Simcoe in the county of Cornwall.

Early Origins of the Semcick family

The surname Semcick was first found in Cornwall where they held a family seat from very ancient times.

Early History of the Semcick family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Semcick research. Another 51 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1609, 1631, 1645 and 1695 are included under the topic Early Semcick History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Semcick Spelling Variations

Cornish surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The official court languages, which were Latin and French, were also influential on the spelling of a surname. Since the spelling of surnames was rarely consistent in medieval times, and scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings of their surname in the ancient chronicles. Moreover, a large number of foreign names were brought into England, which accelerated and accentuated the alterations to the spelling of various surnames. Lastly, spelling variations often resulted from the linguistic differences between the people of Cornwall and the rest of England. The Cornish spoke a unique Brythonic Celtic language which was first recorded in written documents during the 10th century. However, they became increasingly Anglicized, and Cornish became extinct as a spoken language in 1777, although it has been revived by Cornish patriots in the modern era. The name has been spelled Simcoe, Simco, Simcock, Simcox and others.

Early Notables of the Semcick family

Notable amongst the family at this time was John Simcocks (1609-1695), English Jesuit, born in London in 1609. "Destined from early life for the priesthood, he studied the humanities at the college of St. Omer. In 1631 he entered...
Another 38 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Semcick Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Semcick family

Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the name Semcick or a variant listed above: John Simcock settled in Delaware in 1682 with his two sons; Anne Simco settled with her husband in Virginia in 1653; Alice Symcocks settled in Virginia in 1635..

The Semcick 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: Non sibi sed patriae
Motto Translation: For his country, not for himself.