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![Show Contents]() Swabay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England
Swabay is an ancient Norman name that arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Swabay family lived in Lincolnshire, at Swaby, a parish, in the union of Louth, Marsh division of the hundred of Calceworth, parts of Lindsey. 1 The Domesday Book of 1086 lists the village as Suabi. 2 The place name literally means "farmstead or village of a man called Svan," from the Viking personal name + "by." 3 Early Origins of the Swabay familyThe surname Swabay was first found in Lincolnshire at Swaby and it is here that the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 recorded Roger de Swaby as holding lands at that time. 4 Philip de Swaby was recorded in the Pipe Rolls of Lincolnshire in 1219 and later, Walter de Swaby was listed in the Feet of Fines for Lincolnshire in 1263. 5 Early History of the Swabay familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Swabay research. Another 130 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1584, 1767 and 1952 are included under the topic Early Swabay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Swabay Spelling VariationsNorman surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are largely due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England, as well as the official court languages of Latin and French, also had pronounced influences on the spelling of surnames. Since medieval 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. The name has been spelled Swaby, Swabey, Swabie, Swabee, Swebie, Swebe and many more. Early Notables of the Swabay familyMore information is included under the topic Early Swabay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Swabay familyMany English families emigrated to North American colonies in order to escape the political chaos in Britain at this time. Unfortunately, many English families made the trip to the New World 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 stormy Atlantic. Despite these hardships, many of the families prospered and went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the United States and Canada. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the name Swabay or a variant listed above: Joseph James Swaby who landed in America in 1750.
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: Vera Tropae Fides
Motto Translation: Faith is our true trophy.
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
- Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
- Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
- Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
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