Show ContentsTrenchearde History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Trenchearde reached English shores for the first time with the ancestors of the Trenchearde family as they migrated following the Norman Conquest in 1066. Trenchearde is a name for a soldier. Looking back even further, we found the name was originally derived from the Old French word trenchire, meaning a swordsman, soldier, or man of war.

Early Origins of the Trenchearde family

The surname Trenchearde was first found in Dorset where they were granted the lands of Hordhill in the Isle of Wight by Baldwin de Ripariis to Paganus Trenchard and his heirs about 1100 A.D. The grandsons of Paganus, Robert, Alexander and Hugh Trenchard, witnessed the deed.

Early History of the Trenchearde family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Trenchearde research. Another 133 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1509, 1582, 1586, 1588, 1613, 1621, 1625, 1640, 1657, 1662 and 1695 are included under the topic Early Trenchearde History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Trenchearde Spelling Variations

Multitudes of spelling variations are a hallmark of Anglo Norman names. Most of these names evolved in the 11th and 12th century, in the time after the Normans introduced their own Norman French language into a country where Old and Middle English had no spelling rules and the languages of the court were French and Latin. To make matters worse, medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, so names frequently appeared differently in the various documents in which they were recorded. The name was spelled Trenchard, Trancherd, Trencher, Trenchar and others.

Early Notables of the Trenchearde family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was John Trenchard (1586-1662), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons, Member of Parliament for Wareham (1621-1625); Sir Thomas Trenchard (1582-1657) of Wolverton...
Another 32 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Trenchearde Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Trenchearde family

Because of this political and religious unrest within English society, many people decided to immigrate to the colonies. Families left for Ireland, North America, and Australia in enormous numbers, traveling at high cost in extremely inhospitable conditions. The New World in particular was a desirable destination, but the long voyage caused many to arrive sick and starving. Those who made it, though, were welcomed by opportunities far greater than they had known at home in England. Many of these families went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Trenchearde or a variant listed above: Symon Trencherd, who settled in Virginia in 1637. Attorney General George Trenchard of New Jersey settled there in 1686; he was from Somerset in England, he was succeeded by Edward Trenchard of New York City. In Newfoundland, Benjamin Trencher was a blacksmith of Lower Island Cove in 1838.



The Trenchearde Motto +

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: Nosce Teipsum
Motto Translation: Know thyself.


Houseofnames.com on Facebook