Show ContentsErmitedge History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The origins of the Ermitedge name lie with England's ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It comes from when the family lived in the county of Yorkshire in eastern England. Records show that most, if not all of the bearers of the surname can be traced back to a family living at Hermitage Bridge in Almondbury, near Huddersfield in the 13th century.

Early Origins of the Ermitedge family

The surname Ermitedge was first found in the West Riding of Yorkshire at Kirkless, a hamlet, in the chapelry of Hartshead cum Clifton, parish of Dewsbury, wapentake of Morley. The hamlet was originally the site of a Cistercian nunnery, founded in the reign of Henry II and later passed to the Pilkingtons and later "to the Armytages, whose mansion formed part of the conventual buildings, till the time of James I., when the family erected Kirklees Hall, the present seat of Sir George Armytage, Bart." 1

Early History of the Ermitedge family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ermitedge research. Another 88 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1379, 1596, 1600, 1629, 1641, 1644, 1652, 1653, 1655, 1660, 1662, 1673, 1677, 1694, 1732, 1736, 1737 and 1850 are included under the topic Early Ermitedge History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ermitedge Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Ermitedge were recorded, including Armitage, Hermitage, Ermytache, Ermitage, Armitach, Hermitack, Armitack and many more.

Early Notables of the Ermitedge family

Notables of the family at this time include Timothy Armitage (died 1655), a pastor of the first independent church in the city of Norwich. 2 The Armytage Baronetcy, of Kirklees in the County of York, was created on 15 December 1641...
Another 40 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Ermitedge Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Ermitedge family to Ireland

Some of the Ermitedge 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 Ermitedge family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Ermitedge family emigrate to North America: Godfrey Armitage of Lynn moved to Boston, Massachusetts in 1639; and Eleazor in 1669 was living in Lynn, Massachusetts.



The Ermitedge 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: Semper paratus
Motto Translation: Always prepared.


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


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