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![Show Contents]() Sweetghan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The ancestors of the name Sweetghan date back to the days of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from their residence in the county of Cheshire, where they held a family seat at Swettenham. The surname Sweetghan 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. In the Middle Ages people often assumed the name of the place that they originally lived as their surname during the course of travel. Early Origins of the Sweetghan familyThe surname Sweetghan was first found in Cheshire at Swettenham, a small village and civil parish. The place name was originally Suetenham in the late 12th century which literally meant "homestead or enclosure of a man called Sweta." 1 Swettenham Hall is a country house located there dating back to the 17th century. The first Saxon Lord of Swettenham, Peter, had his estates confirmed by King William Rufus. Early History of the Sweetghan familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sweetghan research. Another 63 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1500, 1577, 1602, 1606, 1617, 1618 and 1622 are included under the topic Early Sweetghan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Sweetghan Spelling VariationsSweetghan has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Sweetghan have been found, including Swettenham, Swetenham, Sweetham, Swetnam and others. Early Notables of the Sweetghan familyDistinguished members of the family include Joseph Swetnam (fl. 1617), called the woman-hater, " he kept a fencing school at Bristol. He must be distinguished from his contemporary namesake, Joseph Swetnam, Sweetnam...
Another 32 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Sweetghan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Sweetghan familyIn an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Sweetghans to arrive on North American shores: Francis Swettnam who settled in Barbados in 1685; Alfred Swettenham, aged 22, who arrived at Ellis Island, in 1923; Constance S. Swettenham, aged 44, who arrived at Ellis Island from London, in 1903.
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: Ex sudore vultus
Motto Translation: By the sweat of the face.
- Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
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