Case History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
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The name Case is Anglo-Saxon in origin. It was a name given to a person who makes boxes, chests or receptacles. The surname Case is derived from the Old Norman French word casse, which means case. Thus, Case is a metonymic type of occupational surname; it is derived from the principal object associated with the occupation. 1

The following interesting quote was found by our researchers: "A family in Devonshire thus designated account for it by a tradition that, about two hundred years since, a foundling was laid at the door of a certain gentleman, to whom popular scandal attributed its paternity; the gentleman denied the allegation, but from motives of humanity had the infant taken care of, and, from the circumstance of its having been enclosed in a packing-case, imposed upon the poor foundling this curious appellation. The French case, from Latin casa, a mean house, cottage, or hut, is, however, a more likely etymon." 2

Early Origins of the Case family

The surname Case was first found in Norfolk at Testerton where "for more than two centuries [the parish has been] the property of the Case family, whose mansion of Testerton House, a handsome modern residence, is beautifully situated on the estate." 3

"There was a family of Case in Swaffham [Norfolk] 200 years ago, and the name is still in the town; the rector of Erpingham in 1628 bore this name." 4

One sources notes that the name could have been "derived from the name of an ancestor as in 'the son of Cassandra.' And following this premise, the following entries were found in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273: Albric filius, Cassandre, Cambridgeshire; Ralph filius Cassandre, Cambridgeshire; and Cassandre (without surname), Huntingdonshire. (Bardsely)

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed both first and last names: Johannes Case; Willelmus Casson; and Cassander Danyll. 5

Early History of the Case family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Case research. Another 62 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1564, 1568, 1572, 1586, 1588, 1598, 1600, 1660, 1680, 1682 and 1700 are included under the topic Early Case History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Case Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Case include Case, Casse and others.

Early Notables of the Case family

Notables of this surname at this time include:

Case Ranking

In the United States, the name Case is the 813rd most popular surname with an estimated 37,305 people with that name. 7 However, in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Case is ranked the 767th most popular surname with an estimated 55 people with that name. 8


Case migration to the United States +

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Case were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records:

Case Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Case Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Case Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Case migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Case Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Case Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Case migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Case Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
Case Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Case migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Case Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Case (post 1700) +


The Case 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: Distantia jungit
Motto Translation: It joins things that were apart.


Suggested Readings for the name Case +
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