Show ContentsSowthcold History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The history of the Sowthcold family goes back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It is derived from the family living in the tithing of Southcote in the county of Devon. The surname was originally derived from the Old English words sud which meant south and cot which meant cottage.

Early Origins of the Sowthcold family

The surname Sowthcold was first found in Devon where they were Lords of the Manor of Southcote anciently seated in that shire. "Southcote, an estate in the parish [of Winkleigh], appears to have given name to the Southcote family." 1

Early History of the Sowthcold family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sowthcold research. Another 118 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1242, 1345, 1511, 1556, 1559, 1560, 1562, 1563, 1585, 1620, 1622, 1661, 1662 and 1664 are included under the topic Early Sowthcold History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sowthcold Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Sowthcold include Southcote, Sothcotte, Southcott, Sothcott, Southcod, Southcodt, Soutcott and many more.

Early Notables of the Sowthcold family

Notables of the family at this time include John Soputcote (1511-1585), an English judge, second son of William Southcote, by his wife, Alice Tregonnell, grandson of Nicholas Southcote of Chudleigh, Devonshire. "He was a member of the Middle Temple, where he was autumn reader in 1556...
Another 46 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Sowthcold Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Sowthcold family

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Sowthcold or a variant listed above: James Southcott, a soldier who settled in St. John's Newfoundland in 1813; Richard and Thomas Southcote settled in Nantasket, Massachusetts in 1630; Frederick Southcott arrived in Philadelphia in 1855.



  1. Worth, R.N., A History of Devonshire London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, E.G., 1895. Digital


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