Vicarage History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The name Vicarage was brought to England by the Normans when they conquered the country in 1066. The ancestors of the Vicarage family lived in Devon. Their name, however, is a reference to La Vacherie, Normandy, the family's place of residence prior to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.

Early Origins of the Vicarage family

The surname Vicarage was first found in Devon. They were originally from La Vacherie, and acquired their seat at Dunkeswell in Devon soon after the Norman Conquest in 1066.

Early History of the Vicarage family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Vicarage research. Another 42 words (3 lines of text) covering the years 1490 and 1561 are included under the topic Early Vicarage History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Vicarage Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, Anglo-Norman surnames like Vicarage are characterized by many spelling variations. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages such as Norman French and Latin, even literate people regularly changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Vicarage include Vickare, Vickery, Vickary and others.

Early Notables of the Vicarage family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Thomas Vicary (1490-1561), an early English physician, surgeon and anatomist, born in Kent, he was, "but a meane practiser in Maidstone." Henry VIII advanced him to the position of sergeant-surgeon...
Another 37 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Vicarage Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Vicarage family to Ireland

Some of the Vicarage family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Vicarage family

Faced with the chaos present in England at that time, many English families looked towards the open frontiers of the New World with its opportunities to escape oppression and starvation. People migrated to North America, as well as Australia and Ireland in droves, paying exorbitant rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, but those who did see the shores of North America were welcomed with great opportunity. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America carried the name Vicarage, or a variant listed above: John Vickery, who settled in Barbados in 1654; Mary Vickery, who settled in Maryland in 1724; Ambrose Vickery, who settled in Georgia in 1733; as well as Henry Vickery, who settled in Philadelphia in 1856..

The Vicarage 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: Probitas verus honos
Motto Translation: Probity is true honor.