Swiftey History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsSwiftey is a name of Anglo-Saxon origin. It was a name given to a person who because of his physical abilities was referred to as swifte, which was an Old English word used to denote one who was quick, typically "speed of foot." 1 This was a name often given to a messenger or courier. 2 A broad and miscellaneous class of surnames, nickname surnames referred to a characteristic of the first person who used the name. They can describe the bearer's favored style of clothing, appearance, habits, or character. One source notes that the name may be "local, from Swift, a river of England." 3 4 Early Origins of the Swiftey familyThe surname Swiftey was first found in Norfolk where the mononym Suift was recorded in the Pipe Rolls of 1166. Years later, Nicholaus filius Swift was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls of 1222 and William Swift was found in the Pipe Rolls for Hampshire in 1167 and in the Assize Rolls for Yorkshire in 1219. 5 The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 proved the widespread use of the name: Matilda Swyft, Cambridgeshire; Roger Swyft, Buckinghamshire; and Arnulph Swyft, Norfolk. The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included an entry for Henricus Swyft. 6 Pointing to the occupational nature of the name, the source Issues of the Exchequer, edited by Frederick Devon includes an entry for Ralph Swyft, courier to Edward III. "The name of Swift is also established in Derbyshire, the West Riding, and Nottinghamshire. In the 13th century there were Swifts and Swyfts in Derbyshire, Bucks, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, and Suffolk." 7 To the north in Scotland, the "family of this name were burgesses of Edinburgh, and the chartulary of St. Giles contains frequent notices of them in the time of James II. John Swyft was burgess of Edinburgh in 1427." 8 Early History of the Swiftey familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Swiftey research. Another 109 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1478, 1534, 1599, 1627, 1634, 1640, 1667, 1707, 1713, 1726, 1734, 1736, 1739, 1745, 1746, 1754, 1783 and 1815 are included under the topic Early Swiftey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Swiftey Spelling VariationsBefore 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 Swiftey were recorded, including Swift, Swifte, Swyft, Swyfte and others. Early Notables of the Swiftey familyDistinguished members of the family include Robert Swift (1534?-1599), Chancellor of Durham, born at Rotherham about 1534, belonged to a Yorkshire family settled there; and Jonathan Swift (1640-1667), English father of Jonathon Swift, the satirist. Jonathan Swift (1667-1745), Dean of St. Patrick's and satirist, son of Jonathan Swift, by Abigail (Erick) of Leicester, was born at 7 Hoey's Court, Dublin, on 30 Nov. 1667 (a drawing of the house, now destroyed, is in Wilde's Closing Years of Swift's Life, p. 89). The elder Jonathan was a younger son of Thomas Swift, vicar of Goodrich, near Ross, by Elizabeth (Dryden), niece of... Migration of the Swiftey family to IrelandSome of the Swiftey family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. Migration of the Swiftey familyTo 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 Swiftey family emigrate to North America: Mr. Swift who arrived in Virginia in 1623; Anne Swift came to Barbados in 1673; James Swift arrived in Virginia in 1610; Thomas and William Swift settled in New England in 1640.
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: Festina lente Motto Translation: Be quick without impetuosity.
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