Speechley History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Early Origins of the Speechley family

The surname Speechley was first found in Worcestershire where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. After the Battle of Hastings in 1066, William, Duke of Normandy, having prevailed over King Harold, granted most of Britain to his many victorious Barons. It was not uncommon to find a Baron, or a Bishop, with 60 or more Lordships scattered throughout the country. These he gave to his sons, nephews and other junior lines of his family and they became known as under-tenants. They adopted the Norman system of surnames which identified the under-tenant with his holdings so as to distinguish him from the senior stem of the family. After many rebellious wars between his Barons, Duke William, commissioned a census of all England to determine in 1086, settling once and for all, who held which land. He called the census the Domesday Book, 1 indicating that those holders registered would hold the land until the end of time. Hence, conjecturally, the surname is descended from the tenant of the village and lands of Spetchley, held by Hugh de Lacy from Worcester Church, who was recorded in the Domesday Book census of 1086.

Early History of the Speechley family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Speechley research. Another 52 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Speechley History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Speechley Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Spetchley, Speechley, Speechly, Speckley, Speckerley and many more.

Early Notables of the Speechley family

More information is included under the topic Early Speechley Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Speechley migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Speechley Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

John Speechley, aged 28, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Hunter" in 1834
Ann Speechley, aged 27, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Francis Ann" in 1836
George Speechley, aged 30, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Francis Ann" in 1836
Robert Speechley, aged 1, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Francis Ann" in 1836
James Speechley, aged 27, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Francis Ann" in 1836
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Speechley Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Kate Speechley, aged 37, British settler who arrived in New York in 1903 aboard the ship "Umbria"
James Speechley, aged 24, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "New York" in 1912
George Sanderson Speechley, aged 18, who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Celtic" in 1914
Annie M Speechley, aged 27, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Berengaria" in 1926

Speechley migration to Australia +

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

Speechley Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Henry Speechley, English convict from Cambridge, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on October 22nd, 1824, settling in New South Wales, Australia 2

Contemporary Notables of the name Speechley (post 1700) +

Michael Speechley (b. 1964), Australian former professional rugby league footballer

Citations +

Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Asia 1 voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1824 with 9 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1824