| ![Show Contents]() Ollerenshaw History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England The name Ollerenshaw is of Anglo-Saxon origin and came from when the family lived at the village of Ravenshaw, in Warwickshire. Ollerenshaw is a topographic surname, which was given to a person who resided near a physical feature such as a hill, stream, church, or type of tree. In this case the surname was originally derived from the Old English words used to refer to those individuals who lived near the raven wood, indicating that the original bearers lived near a forest that was occupied by many ravens. Early Origins of the Ollerenshaw familyThe surname Ollerenshaw was first found in Lancashire where the first on record was Stephen de Ravenshagh, listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Lancashire in 1332. 1 However, another source claims the family were from Ravenshaw, "some small but, I fear, lost spot in East Cheshire." 2 We are somewhat cautious about the last author's claim as the first record of the family in Cheshire was relatively late: Sir Ralphe Raynshae, vicar of Potte in 1548, more that two hundred years after the aforementioned first listing in 1332. But from the 1548 listing, there are numerous listings in East Cheshire in the 16th and 17th centuries including those found in the Wills at Chester: John Ravenshaw, of Walkerton in 1673; John Rainshaw, of Sale, 1647; John Renshaw, yeoman, of Mobberley, 1661; John Renshall, of Sale, 1679; Ralph Renshall, of Mobberley, 1680; and Richard Renshaw, of Sale, 1680. 2 Early History of the Ollerenshaw familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ollerenshaw research. Another 82 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Ollerenshaw History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Ollerenshaw 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 Ollerenshaw 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 Ollerenshaw include: Renshaw, Ravenshaw, Renshall, Olerenshaw and many more. Early Notables of the Ollerenshaw familyMore information is included under the topic Early Ollerenshaw Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Ollerenshaw 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 Ollerenshaw or a variant listed above: Henry Renshaw, who settled in Virginia in 1763 with his wife Isabella; Christopher Renshaw arrived in Philadelphia in 1750; David, Francis, Hugh, James, William Renshaw all arrived in Philadelphia between 1800 and 1870..
| Contemporary Notables of the name Ollerenshaw (post 1700) | + |
- Colonel Robert Ollerenshaw, English military surgeon, pioneer of medical illustration, High Sheriff of Greater Manchester from 1978 to 1979, husband of Kathleen Ollerenshaw
- Dame Kathleen Ollerenshaw DBE (1912-2014), English mathematician and educationalist, Lord Mayor of Manchester (1975-1976), advisor on educational matters to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher
- Scott Ollerenshaw (b. 1968), Australian footballer from Sydney
- Maggie Ollerenshaw, British actress, best known for her role as Mavis on the sitcom Open All Hours
- Eric Ollerenshaw OBE (b. 1950), British politician, Member of Parliament for Lancaster and Fleetwood
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
- Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
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