Birchall History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The ancestry of the name Birchall dates from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It comes from when the family lived in one of two towns called Birchill in the counties of Derbyshire and Staffordshire. Alternatively the family could have originated in the parish of Bircholt, in the union of East Ashford, franchise and barony of Bircholt, lathe of Shepway, E. division of Kent. 1 2
Early Origins of the Birchall family
The surname Birchall was first found in Cheshire, where John de Birchall de Birtles, of Gawsworth was first recorded in 1401. Later the Wills at Chester included entries for Richard Birchall, of Parr, webster, 1581; James Birchall, of Winwick; 1591; and Geoffrey Birchall, of Croft, in Winwick, 1614. 3
Early East Cheshire records show John de Birchall de Birtles, of Gawsworth, Cheshire, but no date is given. The Source Wills at Chester includes entries for Richard Birchall, of Parr, webster, 1581; James Birchall, of Winwick; 1591; and Geoffrey Birchall, of Croft, in Winwick, 1614. 3
Early History of the Birchall family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Birchall research. Another 81 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1778, 1784 and 1805 are included under the topic Early Birchall History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Birchall Spelling Variations
Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Birchall have been found, including Birchall, Birchill, Birchalls, Birchills and many more.
Early Notables of the Birchall family
Distinguished members of the family include
- Robert Birchall, a London music-publisher said to have been apprenticed to Randall, the successor of Walsh who established a musical circulating library about 1784...
- Birchall published many of Beethoven's works, including the original English editions of 'The Battle Symphony,' dedicated to the Prince Regent in 18054...
Birchall migration to the United States +
Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Birchall, or a variant listed above:
Birchall Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
- Henry Birchall who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1824
- Thomas Walmsley Birchall, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1835
- Elias Birchall, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1845
- William Birchall, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1852
Birchall migration to Australia +
Emigration to
Australia followed the
First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:
Birchall Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
- Mr. John Birchall, (b. 1779), aged 24, British convict who was convicted in Chester, Cheshire, England for life for theft, transported aboard the "Calcutta" in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1860 5
- Mr. Thomas Birchall, British Convict who was convicted in Chester, Cheshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 25th June 1838, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 6
- Mr. George Birchall, (b. 1820), aged 25, English farm labourer who was convicted in Liverpool, Merseyside, England for life, transported aboard the "David Malcolm" on 13th May 1845, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) and Norfolk Island 7
Contemporary Notables of the name Birchall (post 1700) +
- Frederick T. Birchall, American journalist who won the 1934 Pulitzer Prize for Correspondence
- Grant Birchall (b. 1988), Australian Football League footballer
- Paul Kenneth Birchall (b. 1979), English professional wrestler
- Christopher "Chris" Birchall (b. 1984), English-born Trinidadian footballer
- Adam Birchall (b. 1984), English-born, Welsh footballer
- Leonard Birchall (1915-2004), Canadian RCAF Air Commodore, Japanese POW, known as "The Saviour of Ceylon," appointed an officer of the Legion of Merit (1950) and a Member of the Order of Canada in 1999
- Ian Birchall (b. 1939), British Marxist historian
Historic Events for the Birchall family +
- Mr. Norman Birchall, British Stoker 1st Class, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 8
- Mr. Henry Birchall, American 2nd Class passenger from Roslyn, New York, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 9
The Birchall 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: Quaerere verum
Motto Translation: To seek the truth.
Citations +
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
- Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. 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)
- Grove, Sir George, A Dictionary of Music and Musicians (AD. 1450-1889) London: Macmillan1902, Print, 2 Vols
- Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/calcutta
- Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 19th March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel
- Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 21st June 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/david-malcolm
- HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
- Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 7) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/