| ![Show Contents]() Birchley History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England The name Birchley is of Anglo-Saxon origin and came 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 Birchley familyThe surname Birchley 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 Birchley familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Birchley research. Another 81 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1778, 1784 and 1805 are included under the topic Early Birchley History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Birchley Spelling VariationsIt is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Birchley are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. The variations of the name Birchley include: Birchall, Birchill, Birchalls, Birchills and many more. Early Notables of the Birchley familyDistinguished 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. Prior to which, he had been associated in business with Beardmore and also with Andrewes, successively at 129...
Another 47 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Birchley Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Birchley familyMany English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Birchley or a variant listed above: Henry Birchall who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1824; Thomas Walmsley Birchall arrived in Philadelphia in 1835; Elias Birchall in 1845; William Birchall in 1852.
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.
- 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)
 |
