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The Anglo-Saxon name Needam comes from the family having resided in one of the places called Needham in the counties of Derbyshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. The surname Needam belongs to the large category of Anglo-Saxon habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.
The surname Needam was first found in Derbyshire at Alvaston, a chapelry, in the parish of St. Michael, Derby, union of Shardlow, hundred of Morleston and Litchurch. " In 1547 [the manor of Alvaston] was granted to the Needham family, from whom it passed to various hands." 1
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Needam research. Another 104 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1461, 1506, 1620, 1625, 1631 and 1678 are included under the topic Early Needam History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Needam has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Spelling variants included: Needham, Nedham and others.
Another 47 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Needam Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Needams to arrive on North American shores: