Show ContentsStrangwedge History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

In ancient Anglo-Saxon England, the ancestors of the Strangwedge surname lived in the settlement of Strangeways in the county of Lancashire. The surname Strangwedge belongs to the large category of Anglo-Saxon habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.

Early Origins of the Strangwedge family

The surname Strangwedge was first found in Lancashire where it is generally thought that the name was derived from Strangwish, near Manchester which was held by the family in the 14th century. [1] In fact, the English "Gentleman Pirate" Henry Strangways (died 1562) often spelt his name "Strangwish."

Of note in early times was Thomas Strangeways (c. 1395-before 1442), husband of Katherine Strangeways who together had two daughters: Joan Strangeways, who first married Sir William Willoughby, before 20 July 1461; and Katherine Strangeways, who married Henry Grey, 4th (7th) Baron Grey of Codnor, 29 August 1454.

James Strangeways of Fyfield, a gentleman usher of the King's Chamber in London was the second husband of Lady Catherine Gordon (c. 1474-1537) and was married before 13 February 1512.

Early History of the Strangwedge family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Strangwedge research. Another 154 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1516, 1562, 1585, 1614, 1615, 1636, 1640, 1661, 1666, 1675 and 1676 are included under the topic Early Strangwedge History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Strangwedge 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 Strangwedge 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. The variations of the name Strangwedge include: Strangways, Strangeways, Strangwich, Strangwish, Strangeway and many more.

Early Notables of the Strangwedge family

Distinguished members of the family include Sir James Strangeways (died 1516), an English politician, Speaker of the House of Commons, the son of Sir James Strangeways of Whorlton, Yorkshire; Sir John Strangways (1585-1666), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1614 and 1666, he supported the Royalist side...
Another 51 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Strangwedge Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Strangwedge family

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 Strangwedge or a variant listed above: William and Robert Strangway settled in Maryland in 1750.



  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.


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