Work History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:

England

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

(226)

Early Origins of the Work family

The surname Work was first found in Essex where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. The Saxon influence of English history diminished after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The language of the courts was French for the next three centuries and the Norman ambience prevailed. But Saxon surnames survived and the family name was first referenced in the year 1260 when Richard Work held estates.

Early History of the Work family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Work research. Another 100 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1455 and 1487 are included under the topic Early Work History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Work Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Work, Werk, Wirk, Worge and others.

Early Notables of the Work family

Distinguished members of the family include

the Work family of Essex

Work Ranking

In the United States, the name Work is the 8,682^nd most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1

Work migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Work Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Thomas Work, who is on record in Virginia in 1776
Thomas Work, aged 26, who landed in Virginia in 1776 2

Work Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

James Work, who arrived at the port of Philadelphia in 1811
John Work, who was listed as a "British Alien" in the United States during the war of 1812
John Work, aged 29, who arrived in South Carolina in 1812 2
Joseph Work, aged 47, who landed in Tennessee in 1812 2
Allen Work, aged 24, who landed in Mobile, Ala in 1851 2

Work migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Work Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. James Work U.E. who settled in Ernest Town [Ernestown], Lennox & Addington, Ontario c. 1786 he served in the Loyal Rangers 3

Work migration to Australia +

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

Work Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Margaret Work, aged 21, a domestic servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1851 aboard the ship "Marion" 4
William Work, aged 39, who arrived in South Australia in 1851 aboard the ship "Omega" 5
Peter Work, aged 15, who arrived in South Australia in 1851 aboard the ship "Thetis" 6
James Work, aged 19, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1852 aboard the ship "Amazon" 7
James Work, aged 38, a tenent farmer, who arrived in South Australia in 1852 aboard the ship "Anglia" 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Work (post 1700) +

John Wesley Work III (1901-1967), American composer, educator, choral director, musicologist
John Wesley Work Jr. (1871-1873), the first African-American collector of folk songs and spirituals
John McClelland Work (1869-1961), American socialist writer, lecturer, activist, and political functionary
Henry Clay Work (1832-1884), American composer and songwriter
Milton Cooper Work (1864-1934), American authority on whist, bridge whist, auction and contract bridge
Hubert Work (1860-1942), US physician and politician, Postmaster General 1922-1923, Secretary of the Interior 1923-1928
Robert Orton Work (b. 1953), United States national security professional, 32nd United States Deputy Secretary of Defense (2014-)
John Work (1792-1861), Irish-born, Canadian chief factor of the Hudson's Bay Company
Henry Work Lever (1883-1980), American sportsperson and educator, 8th head coach of the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs in 1911
John Work Garrett (1820-1884), American banker, philanthropist and president of the Baltimore and Ohio (B&O) Railroad