Trowbrige History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Trowbrige is one of the many names that the Normans brought with them when they conquered England in 1066. The Trowbrige family lived in Devon, at Trowbridge. Further research showed the name was derived from the Old English word for a wooden bridge.

"The name signifies 'through the bridge;' perhaps given for some feat of daring, or bodily courage." 1

Early Origins of the Trowbrige family

The surname Trowbrige was first found in Devon where conjecturally they are believed to be descended from two Norman knights Richard and Reginald who held the lands of Modbury from the Count of Mortaine as shown in the Domesday Book which was surveyed in 1086 A.D. The land was shown to have 30 goats. 2

Trowbridge is also a market-town and parish, in the union and hundred of Melksham, Westbury and N. divisions, and Trowbridge and Bradford subdivisions, of Wiltshire. "It was anciently a royal manor, forming part of the duchy of Lancaster, having been granted by the crown to John of Gaunt. The estate afterwards reverted to the crown, and was given by Henry VIII., in the 28th year of his reign, to Sir Edward Seymour, Knt., Viscount Beauchamp." 3 So, while one would presume that this market-town was the place of origin of the surname, it was indeed not.

Early rolls include Walter de Trobrigge in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire in 1184 and William de Trewebrugg in the Subsidy Rolls for Worcestershire in 1275. 4

In Somerset, Richard Trowbrigge; John de Trowbrugge; and William de Trowbrugge were recorded 1 Edward III, (during the first year of the reign of King Edward III.) 5

Early History of the Trowbrige family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Trowbrige research. Another 90 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1583, 1731, 1758, 1768, 1773, 1774, 1776, 1780, 1781, 1807 and 1809 are included under the topic Early Trowbrige History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Trowbrige Spelling Variations

Before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Sound was what guided spelling in the Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Trowbrige family name include Trowbridge, Troubridge, Trobridge and others.

Early Notables of the Trowbrige family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Sir Thomas Troubridge (1758?-1807), rear-admiral, born in London about 1758, son of Richard Troubridge. He was admitted on the foundation of St. Paul's school, London, on 22 Feb. 1768, ‘aged 10’ (Gardiner, Register of St. Paul's School, p. 139). It is doubtfully said (Naval Chronicle, xxiii. 1) that he made, as a boy, a voyage to the West Indies in a merchant ship. All that is certainly known is that he entered the navy on board the Seahorse frigate on 8 Oct. 1773, in the rating of ‘able seaman,’ and was then described...
Another 116 words (8 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Trowbrige Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Trowbrige family

To escape the political and religious chaos of this era, thousands of English families began to migrate to the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. The passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe; however, those who made the voyage safely were encountered opportunities that were not available to them in their homeland. Many of the families that reached the New World at this time went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of the United States and Canada. Research into various historical records has revealed some of first members of the Trowbrige family to immigrate North America: Thomas Trowbridge, who arrived in Massachusetts in 1636; James Trowbridge, who was on record in Dorchester, MA in 1658; John Trowbridg(e), who was on record in New England in 1668.

Citations +

Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.