Prestwyck History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Etymology of Prestwyck

What does the name Prestwyck mean?

Prestwyck is a name of ancient Anglo-Saxon origin and comes from a family once having lived in Prestwick, Northumberland, or in Prestwich, in Cheshire. Prestwich is now part of Greater Manchester. The place names Prestwick and Prestwich have an identical etymology; they are derived from the Old English words preost, which meant priest, and wic, which meant farm. The place names taken as a whole mean "priest's farm."

Early Origins of the Prestwyck family

The surname Prestwyck was first found in Lancashire where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the census rolls taken by the ancient Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Early History of the Prestwyck family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Prestwyck research. Another 85 words (6 lines of text) covering the year 1250 is included under the topic Early Prestwyck History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Prestwyck 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. Prestwyck has been recorded under many different variations, including Prestwick, Preswick, Preswicke, Prestwich and others.

Early Notables of the Prestwyck family

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

Migration of the Prestwyck family to Ireland

Some of the Prestwyck 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 Prestwyck family

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 Prestwyck or a variant listed above: Roger Preswicke, who came to New England in 1702; and Thomas Prestwich who settled in Philadelphia in 1868.

The Prestwyck Motto +

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: In te domine speravi
Motto Translation: In thee, O Lord, I have placed my hope.