| ![Show Contents]() Cambrige History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Etymology of CambrigeWhat does the name Cambrige mean? The history of the Cambrige family goes back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It is derived from the family living 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 Cambrige familyThe surname Cambrige 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 Cambrige familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cambrige research. Another 82 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Cambrige History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Cambrige Spelling VariationsUntil quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Cambrige include Cambridge, Cambrigge, Cambrigg, McCambridge and others. Early Notables of the Cambrige familyMore information is included under the topic Early Cambrige Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Cambrige family to IrelandSome of the Cambrige 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. Migration of the Cambrige familySearching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Cambrige or a variant listed above: Moll Cambridge who settled in Jamaica and Barbados in 1694; Nicholas Cambridge settled in New England in 1664.
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)
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