Swartbrecke History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The origins of the Swartbrecke name lie with England's ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It comes from 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 Swartbrecke 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 Swartbrecke family

The surname Swartbrecke 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 Swartbrecke family

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

Swartbrecke Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Swartbrecke were recorded, including Swarbrick, Swarbrigg, Swartbrick, Swartbrigg, Swartbrecke, Swartbreck, Swartbregg, Swarbrooke and many more.

Early Notables of the Swartbrecke family

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

Migration of the Swartbrecke family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Swartbrecke family emigrate to 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)