Physick History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Physick

What does the name Physick mean?

The name Physick arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Physick family lived in Lancashire. The family takes its name from a town in this county by the name of Fishwick. This place-name is derived from the Old English fisc, which means fish, and wic which means outlying farm. This hamlet, which was located on the River Ribble, was formerly known as Fiscuic.

Early Origins of the Physick family

The surname Physick was first found in Lancashire where they held a family seat from very ancient times. They were apparently Lords of the manor of Fishwick, anciently Fiscuic, a hamlet on the creek of the River Ribble. The early records of this family were lost. Nevertheless they are recorded in the Domesday Book and we must presume this fishing tribe were either of Norman or Viking origin.

Early History of the Physick family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Physick research. Another 83 words (6 lines of text) covering the year 1150 is included under the topic Early Physick History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Physick Spelling Variations

A multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Fishwicke, Fishwick, Fisherwick, Fishewick and many more.

Early Notables of the Physick family

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

Migration of the Physick family

Many English families left England, to avoid the chaos of their homeland and migrated to the many British colonies abroad. Although the conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and some travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute, once in the colonies, many of the families prospered and made valuable contributions to the cultures of what would become the United States and Canada. Research into the origins of individual families in North America has revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Physick or a variant listed above: Henry Fishwick who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1874.

Contemporary Notables of the name Physick (post 1700) +

Henry W. Physick, American politician, Member of Maryland State House of Delegates from Cecil County, 1809-10