Strangwich History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The present generation of the Strangwich family is only the most recent to bear a name that dates back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name comes from having lived in the settlement of Strangeways in the county of Lancashire. The surname Strangwich 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 Strangwich family

The surname Strangwich 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 Strangwich family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Strangwich 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 Strangwich History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Strangwich Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Strangwich include Strangways, Strangeways, Strangwich, Strangwish, Strangeway and many more.

Early Notables of the Strangwich 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 Strangwich Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Strangwich family

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Strangwich were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: William and Robert Strangway settled in Maryland in 1750.

Citations +

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