Of all the
Anglo-Saxon names to come from Britain, Coouarte is one of the most ancient. The name is a result of the original family having lived at
the court, a phrase which may have indicated either a large mansion or a tribunal. The prefix
A was often dropped by the 13th century, when many branches of the family became known as
Court. Some historians have suggested that certain variations of the name may be nicknames derived from the Old French and Old English word
curt, meaning
short or
truncated. However, time has confused the different derivations, and it is now extremely difficult to tell which is appropriate to a given family or situation.
Early Origins of the Coouarte family
The surname Coouarte was first found in "Covert or Couert,
Normandy, [who] held by the service of 1 fee of the barony or Braiose [Briouze]."
[1]CITATION[CLOSE]
The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X) William de Braose (Briouze), First Lord of Bramber (died c. 1096) was granted extensive lands in
Sussex by William the Conqueror. Accordingly, the Coouarte family held lands from him in
Sussex. In 1107, William de Cuvert witnessed the foundation charter of Barnstaple and years later William Guvert (Cuvert) held a fee of ancient enfeoffment from William de Courcy in
Somerset.
[1]CITATION[CLOSE]
The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Early History of the Coouarte family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Coouarte research.
Another 227 words (16 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Coouarte History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Coouarte 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. Coouarte has been spelled many different ways, including A'Court, Court, Courte, Couert, Covert, Courtie, Courts and many more.
Early Notables of the Coouarte family (pre 1700)
More information is included under the topic Early Coouarte Notables in all our
PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Coouarte family to Ireland
Some of the Coouarte family moved to
Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 35 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Coouarte family to the New World and Oceana
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 Coouartes to arrive in North America: Richard Court who settled in Virginia in 1637.
The Coouarte Motto
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: Grandescunt aucta labore
Motto Translation: What is increased by Labour grows greater.