Show ContentsManshire History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Manshire family

The surname Manshire was first found in Wiltshire where the name was derived from the "Anglo-Saxon mancgere, originally a merchant of the highest class. Aelfric's mancgere is represented as trading gems, gold, wine, oil, etc." 1

Early History of the Manshire family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Manshire research. Another 101 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1255, 1275, 1455 and 1487 are included under the topic Early Manshire History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Manshire Spelling Variations

Until 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 Manshire include Manger, Maynger, Mainger, Monger, Mansher, Mainsher, Maynsher and many more.

Early Notables of the Manshire family

More information is included under the topic Early Manshire Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Manshire family

Searching 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 Manshire or a variant listed above: the name represented in many forms and recorded from the mid 17th century in the great migration from Europe. Migrants settled in the eastern seaboard from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands..



  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.


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