The name Bowgrave is part of the ancient legacy of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is a product of when the family lived in Hertfordshire, where they held lands and a family seat at Bygrave. Originally the surname was derived from the Old English word biggrafau which meant dweller by the ditch. This name is a toponymic, surname, which is derived from nearby geographical features.
Loading...
Early Origins of the Bowgrave family
The surname Bowgrave was first found in Hertfordshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the manor of Bygrave in that shire. The name in Saxon was "Biggrafan" having nothing to do with the grave or being by a grave. Before the Norman Conquest Leommaer Bygrave held a family seat at Bygrave in the year 1015, and most likely gave his name to the village of that name. At the time of the taking of the Domesday Book the Bygraves held their land which consisted of a village and a mill from the Bishop of Chester.
Loading...
Early History of the Bowgrave family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bowgrave research. Another 97 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1312, 1586, 1610, 1643 and 1680 are included under the topic Early Bowgrave History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Loading...
Bowgrave Spelling Variations
The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Bowgrave has been spelled many different ways, including Bygrove, Bygroves, Bygrave, Bygraves, Bigrove, Bigroves, Bigrave, Bigraves, Bargrave and many more.
Loading...
Early Notables of the Bowgrave family
Another 47 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bowgrave Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Loading...
Migration of the Bowgrave family
Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Bowgraves to arrive in North America: Elizabeth Bygrave who landed in Virginia in 1624.
England
