Show ContentsNeed History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Need family

The surname Need was first found in Lincolnshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. The Saxon influence of English history diminished after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The language of the courts was French for the next three centuries and the Norman ambience prevailed. But Saxon surnames survived and the family name was first referenced in the 12th century when held estates in that county.

Early History of the Need family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Need research. Another 114 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1175, 1455 and 1487 are included under the topic Early Need History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Need 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. Need has been recorded under many different variations, including Neame, Neame, Neem, Neeme, Name, Neme and others.

Early Notables of the Need family

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


Need migration to the United States +

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 Need or a variant listed above:

Need Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Joseph Need, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1686 1

Need migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Need Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Richard Need, aged 30, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1849 aboard the ship "Eliza" 2
  • Richard Need, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Eliza" in 1849 2

Contemporary Notables of the name Need (post 1700) +

  • John Need, American politician, Member of Maryland State House of Delegates from Frederick County, 1847 3
  • Mr. Nathaniel Need Jr., British sheriff, held the joint position of Sheriff of Nottingham, England from 1796 to 1797
  • Mr. John Need, British sheriff, held the joint position of Sheriff of Nottingham, England from 1783 to 1784


  1. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  2. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) ELIZA 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849Eliza.htm
  3. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, February 10) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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