Churchard History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• England
• Ireland

Etymology of Churchard

The Anglo-Saxon name Churchard comes from the family having resided in or near the precincts of a church. Churchard belongs to the large class of Anglo-Saxon topographic surnames, which were given to a person who resided near a physical feature such as a hill, stream, church, or type of tree.

Early Origins of the Churchard family

Early History of the Churchard family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Churchard research. Another 74 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1332, 1379, 1520, 1604, 1606 and 1631 are included under the topic Early Churchard History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Churchard Spelling Variations

Churchard has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Spelling variants included: Churchyard, Churchard, Chircheyerde, Kirkeyerde, Cykarth, Cyrkarth, Kirkeyerd and many more.

Early Notables of the Churchard family

Thomas Churchyard (1520-1604), a prominent English author from Shrewsbury. "In his youth was attached to the household of the famous Earl of Surrey, whose memory he fondly cherished throughout his long life. He commenced his literary career when Edward VI was on the throne, and he...
Another 46 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Churchard Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Churchard family to Ireland

Some of the Churchard 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 Churchard family

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Churchards to arrive on North American shores: Thomas Churchyard who sailed to Virginia in 1654.