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![Show Contents]() Newports History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The Newports surname is a habitational name taken on from any of several places so called, derived the Old English words "ne-owe," meaning "new," and "port," meaning "a port." 1 There are no fewer than five parishes named Newport throughout England with Essex and Devon as the most likely origin of the family. 2 The oldest is Newport, Essex which dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 when it was known as Neuport. 3 "The name of Newport, I.W., was Latinized both as Novus Portus and Novus Burgus; Newport, Salop, was called Novus Burgus (de Novo Burgo) in its charter by Henry I; Newport, Monmouth, was called Novus Burgus by Giraldus Cambrensis in order to distinguish it from Caerleon." 4 Newport, Monmouthshire was "called by Giraldus Novus Burgus, or New Town, in contradistinction to the ancient city of Caerleon, [and] arose out of the declining greatness of that celebrated station. Here Robert, Earl of Gloucester, natural son of Henry I., erected a castle for the defence of his possessions, denominated Castell Newydd, or New Castle: from him it descended through several noble families, till, on the execution of Edward, Duke of Buckingham, it was seized, together with the lordship, by Henry VIII." 5 Early Origins of the Newports familyThe surname Newports was first found in Essex at Newport, a parish, and formerly a market-town, in the union of Saffron-Walden, hundred of Uttlesford. "This manor, in the time of Edward the Confessor, belonged to Earl Harold, and afterwards, forming part of the demesnes of William the Conqueror, continued in the possession of the crown till the reign of Edward VI., when it was granted, as parcel of the duchy of Cornwall, to Richard Fermor." 5 Ailwin de Niweport was the first on record. He was listed in the Pipe Rolls for Essex in 1177. Later, Nicholas Neuport was listed in Devon in 1359. 6 The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 had three listings of the family, all with the same spelling that was prevalent at that time: William de Neuport, Buckinghamshire; Gernega de Neuport, Lincolnshire; and Maurice de Neuport, Lincolnshire. 2 Early History of the Newports familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Newports research. Another 164 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1260, 1511, 1547, 1551, 1552, 1555, 1557, 1558, 1561, 1568, 1569, 1570, 1574, 1580, 1587, 1593, 1604, 1606, 1614, 1617, 1622, 1623, 1651, 1654, 1655, 1683, 1699, 1719, 1734 and 1744 are included under the topic Early Newports History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Newports Spelling VariationsIt is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Newports are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. The variations of the name Newports include: Newport, Newports and others. Early Notables of the Newports familyNotables of the family at this time include Christopher Newport (1561-1617), English privateer and sea captain who commanded the Virginia Company's First Fleet (1606); Richard Newport (c.1511-1570), an English politician, Member of the Parliament of England for Shropshire in 1547, High Sheriff of Shropshire (1551-1552), (1557-1558) and (1568-1569); and his son, Sir Francis Newport (ca. 1555-1623), an English politician, Member of the Parliament of England for...
Another 65 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Newports Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the Newports family to Ireland
Some of the Newports family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Newports familyMany English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Newports or a variant listed above: John Newport, who settled in Virginia in 1648; John Newport, who settled in Barbados in 1678 with his wife and child; and John Newport, who came to Virginia in 1725..
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: Ne supra modum sapere
Motto Translation: Be not over wise.
- Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
- Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
- Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
- Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
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England
Ireland
