| ![Show Contents]() Ambrick History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Etymology of AmbrickWhat does the name Ambrick mean? The ancient roots of the Ambrick family name are in the Anglo-Saxon culture. The name Ambrick comes from when the family lived beside a bridge over the river Cam. This surname originated as a local name for natives who came from the town of Cambridge. Cambridge was in both Gloucestershire and Cambridgeshire. Early Origins of the Ambrick familyThe surname Ambrick was first found in Cambridge, a university, borough, and markettown in Cambridgeshire. "This ancient town was the Grantan-brycge, Grantabricge, or Grante-brige, of the Saxon Chronicle, signifying "the Bridge over the Granta," the ancient name of the river Cam: by the substitution of cognate letters, the Saxon compound was altered after the Norman Conquest to Cantebrige, since contracted into Cambridge. The earliest authenticated fact in its history is its conflagration, in 871, by the Danes, who established on its desolated site one of their principal stations, which they occasionally occupied until the year 901. " 1 John de Cambridge or Cantebrig (d. 1335), was an early English "judge, was of a Cambridge family, whence he took his name, and is said to have been son to Thomas Cantebrig, a judge of the exchequer under Edward II. He was M.P. for Cambridgeshire in 1321 and subsequent years, and earlier was in several judicial commissions for the county. In the last years of Edward II and early years of Edward III he is named as counsel in the year books. " 2 The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed Johannes de Cambrege as holding lands there at that time. 3 Early History of the Ambrick familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ambrick research. Another 82 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Ambrick History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Ambrick Spelling VariationsOne relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Ambrick has appeared include Cambridge, Cambrigge, Cambrigg, McCambridge and others. Early Notables of the Ambrick familyMore information is included under the topic Early Ambrick Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Ambrick family to IrelandSome of the Ambrick 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 Ambrick familyAt this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Ambrick arrived in North America very early: Moll Cambridge who settled in Jamaica and Barbados in 1694; Nicholas Cambridge settled in New England in 1664.
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: Esse quam videri
Motto Translation: To be, rather than to seem.
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
- Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
- Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
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