Belgraves History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Belgraves

What does the name Belgraves mean?

The Anglo-Saxon name Belgraves comes from when the family resided in the town of Belgrave in Leicestershire. The town was originally known as Merdegrave, meaning marten grove, but the name was changed after the Norman Conquest of England due to confusion of the first syllable with the Old French word merde, meaning filth. Appropriately, the name was changed to Belgrave, meaning beautiful grove.

Early Origins of the Belgraves family

The surname Belgraves was first found in Suffolk, where they held a family seat from ancient times, long before the Norman Conquest in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Belgraves family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Belgraves research. Another 53 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Belgraves History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Belgraves Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Belgraves has been recorded under many different variations, including Belgrave, Bellgrave and others.

Early Notables of the Belgraves family

More information is included under the topic Early Belgraves Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Belgraves family

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Belgraves or a variant listed above: Christopher Belgrave who settled in Maryland in 1700; followed by Benjamin who settled there in 1740.

The Belgraves 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: Alev aplotevelv