| ![Show Contents]() Cambria History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The present generation of the Cambria family is only the most recent to bear a name that dates back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name comes from having lived beside a bridge over the river Cam. This surname originated as a local name for natives who came from the town of Cambridge. Cambridge was in both Gloucestershire and Cambridgeshire. Early Origins of the Cambria familyThe surname Cambria was first found in Cambridge, a university, borough, and markettown in Cambridgeshire. "This ancient town was the Grantan-brycge, Grantabricge, or Grante-brige, of the Saxon Chronicle, signifying "the Bridge over the Granta," the ancient name of the river Cam: by the substitution of cognate letters, the Saxon compound was altered after the Norman Conquest to Cantebrige, since contracted into Cambridge. The earliest authenticated fact in its history is its conflagration, in 871, by the Danes, who established on its desolated site one of their principal stations, which they occasionally occupied until the year 901. " 1 John de Cambridge or Cantebrig (d. 1335), was an early English "judge, was of a Cambridge family, whence he took his name, and is said to have been son to Thomas Cantebrig, a judge of the exchequer under Edward II. He was M.P. for Cambridgeshire in 1321 and subsequent years, and earlier was in several judicial commissions for the county. In the last years of Edward II and early years of Edward III he is named as counsel in the year books. " 2 The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed Johannes de Cambrege as holding lands there at that time. 3 Early History of the Cambria familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cambria research. Another 82 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Cambria History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Cambria Spelling VariationsUntil the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Cambria include Cambridge, Cambrigge, Cambrigg, McCambridge and others. Early Notables of the Cambria familyMore information is included under the topic Early Cambria Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the Cambria family to Ireland
Some of the Cambria family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Cambria migration to the United States | + |
Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Cambria were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records:
Cambria Settlers in United States in the 20th Century- Pasquale Cambria, aged 37, who arrived in New York in 1919 aboard the ship "Duca Degli Abruzzi" from Genoa, Italy 4
- Teresa Cambria, aged 10, originally from S. Filippo del Mela, Messina, who arrived in New York in 1919 aboard the ship "Francesca" from Naples, Italy 4
| Contemporary Notables of the name Cambria (post 1700) | + |
- Joseph Carl "Joe" Cambria (1890-1962), nicknamed "Papa Joe," an American professional baseball scout and executive
- Paul Cambria, American criminal defense and appellate attorney
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: Esse quam videri
Motto Translation: To be, rather than to seem.
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
- Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. 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)
- Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
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Cambria migration to the United States 
England
Ireland
