Swattridge History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsThe earliest origins of the family name Swattridge date back to the Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It was a name given to a person who was referred to as swete, which is an Old English word used to describe a sweet or gentle person. 1 Another source claims the name was "probably an Anglo-Saxon personal name, having reference to character." 2 Early Origins of the Swattridge familyThe surname Swattridge was first found in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 where the name was found as both a forename and a surname: Swet le Bone, Norfolk; Adam Swet, Oxfordshire; and Roger Swet, Cambridgeshire. 3 In Somerset, Walter Swete was listed there 1 Edward III (during the first year of the reign of King Edward III) 4 and later the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed Johannes Suete and Johannes Swete as holding lands there at that time. 3 Early History of the Swattridge familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Swattridge research. Another 265 words (19 lines of text) covering the years 1578, 1583, 1660, 1672, 1685, 1700, 1708, 1712, 1752, 1770, 1774, 1777, 1781 and 1821 are included under the topic Early Swattridge History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Swattridge Spelling VariationsBefore English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Swattridge include Sweit, Sweet, Swete, Sweete, Sweett and others. Early Notables of the Swattridge familyMore information is included under the topic Early Swattridge Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Swattridge family to IrelandSome of the Swattridge family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. Migration of the Swattridge familyA great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: Robert Sweet who settled in Virginia in 1623; George settled there in 1653; Thomas Sweet settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1633; William Sweet settled in Virginia in 1654.
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