Swartbreck History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The name Swartbreck is part of the ancient legacy of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is a product of when the family lived in an area known as Swarbrick found in the parish of Kirkham in the county of Lancashire. The surname was originally derived from the Old Norman byname svartrbrekka when translated means the dweller on the black slope. The surname Swartbreck is a habitation name that was originally derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads. The surname originated as a means of identifying individuals from a particular area.

Early Origins of the Swartbreck family

The surname Swartbreck was first found in Lancashire where they held a family seat. The Saxon influence of English history diminished after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The language of the courts was French for the next three centuries and the Norman ambience prevailed. But Saxon surnames survived and the family name was first referenced in the 13th century in the area of Wimmerleigh or Wimmerley in Lancashire. 1

Early History of the Swartbreck family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Swartbreck research. Another 80 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1530, 1581, 1622 and 1680 are included under the topic Early Swartbreck History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Swartbreck Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Swartbreck has been spelled many different ways, including Swarbrick, Swarbrigg, Swartbrick, Swartbrigg, Swartbrecke, Swartbreck, Swartbregg, Swarbrooke and many more.

Early Notables of the Swartbreck family

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

Migration of the Swartbreck family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Swartbrecks to arrive in North America: Dorothy Swarbrooke settled in Maryland in 1661; John Swarbeck settled in Virginia in 1624 soon after the arrival of the Mayflower.

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)