Wedgewoyd History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The origins of the Wedgewoyd name lie with England's ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It comes from when the family lived in Wedgwood, a township in Staffordshire. The place-name Wedgwood is derived from the Old English elements wæthe, whcih means marsh or fen, and wuda, which means wood. The place-name taken as a whole means "place at the marshy wood." The township no longer exists.

Early Origins of the Wedgewoyd family

The surname Wedgewoyd was first found in Staffordshire at Wedgwood, a township, in the parish of Wolstanton, union of Wolstanton and Burslem, N. division of the hundred of Pirehill. "This township, which comprises 431 acres of arable land, is supposed to have been originally the residence of the Wedgwood family, several of whom have been eminent for their improvements in the earthenware and porcelain manufacture." 1 Josiah Wedgwood founded the village of Eturia, again in Staffordshire. "The classical name of this place was given to it by its late celebrated founder, Josiah Wedgwood, who established here the well-known Wedgwood-ware potteries, in 1769, and called the village after the seat of the ancient fictile art in Italy, Etruria, where a colony of Phœnician potters settled about 1000 years before the birth of Christ." 1 Wedgwood "erected an entire village for his workmen and dependants, and a mansion on a neighbouring eminence for his own residence." 1

Early History of the Wedgewoyd family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wedgewoyd research. Another 248 words (18 lines of text) covering the years 1470, 1576, 1588, 1612, 1637, 1730 and 1795 are included under the topic Early Wedgewoyd History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wedgewoyd Spelling Variations

Before 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 Wedgewoyd were recorded, including Wedgewoode, Wedgewood, Wedgewode, Wegewode, Wegewood and many more.

Early Notables of the Wedgewoyd family

More information is included under the topic Early Wedgewoyd Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Wedgewoyd family

To 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 Wedgewoyd family emigrate to North America: John Wedgewood who settled in Annapolis Maryland in 1723.

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.