Gleggs History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The Anglo-Saxon name Gleggs comes from when the family resided in Cheshire at Gayton. "The Gleggs of Gayton were an ancient and distinguished family, now mostly represented amongst the gentry." 1 Black notes that "the name Glegg, Gleig, or Glyge is traditionally of French origin, but no evidence is produced in support of the statement." 2 The author continues "the first of the family of whom we have any authentic record is Adam Glyge mentioned on a tombstone in Marykirk, 1698."

Early Origins of the Gleggs family

The surname Gleggs was first found in Cheshire at Gayton, a township, in the parish of Heswall, union, and Lower division of the hundred, of Wirrall. "The manor was given by Edward I. to Reginald de Tibermont of Normandy, who having soon after surrendered it into the king's hands, it was granted in 1277 to the convent of Vale Royal. In 1312 the abbot gave it to Stephen de Merton in part exchange of his manor of Merton, in the forest of Delamere; and about 1330, Gayton passed by marriage with his heiress into the family of Glegg. William III. slept at Gayton Hall, the ancient seat of the Gleggs, in June 1689, previously to embarking for Ireland." 3 4 A few years later the aforementioned Scottish record was found and it was hear that it may have derived as a nickname from the Scottish "gleg", as in "quick of perception, keen, clever, expeditious." 5 The same source includes a quote from "Scott in the Antiquary who makes his old 'blue-gown' say:-'I was aye gleg at my duty-naebody ever catched Edie sleeping.'" 5

Early History of the Gleggs family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gleggs research. Another 82 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1622, 1636, 1655, 1656 and 1731 are included under the topic Early Gleggs History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gleggs Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Gleggs has been recorded under many different variations, including Glegg, Glegge, Gelgges, Gleggs and others.

Early Notables of the Gleggs family

Distinguished members of the family include Edward Glegg (b. 1622) of Caldey Grange who purchased in 1655 and 1656 the manor of Irbie in Cheshire. William Glegg was the founder of...
Another 30 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Gleggs Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Gleggs family

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Gleggs or a variant listed above: John Clegg who settled at Pennaquid, Maine in the year 1687; and Thomas Clegg, his son, was recorded later. Alfred, David, Edward, Francis, George, Henry, Isaac, James, Joseph, Nathaniel, Robert, Samuel, and Thomas Clegg, all arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania between 1820 and 1869.

The Gleggs 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: Qui potest capere capiat
Motto Translation: Let him take who can take.

Citations +

Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Burke, John Esq. A Genealogical and Heraldic History of The Landed Gentry; or Commoners of Great Britian and Ireland. London: Henry Colburn Publisher, 13, Great Marlborough Street, 1837, Print.
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.