Readshaw History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Early Origins of the Readshaw family

The surname Readshaw was first found in the West Riding of Yorkshire at Redshaw Gill in Blubberhouses, a township, in the parish of Fewston, Lower division of the wapentake of Claro. 1 A small village, the current population is less than 100, Redshaw Gill is now mostly parkland bordering on the river between the Fewston Reservoir and the Thruscross Reservoir. Slightly to the north lies Redshaw Hall, now a farmhouse.

One of the first records of the family was Nicholas de Redschaghe who held estates here in 1297. The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1397 list John Redeshawe as also holding lands at that time. 2

Literally, the name means "dweller at the Red Wood" from the Old English "réad, red + sc(e)aga," Middle English "shaw(e)," meaning "a wood." 3

Early History of the Readshaw family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Readshaw research. Another 78 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1465, 1575, 1712 and 1746 are included under the topic Early Readshaw History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Readshaw Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Readshaw include Redshaw, Redshawe, Readshaw, Readshawe, Ridshaw, Radshaw, Radshawe, Readshore and many more.

Early Notables of the Readshaw family

the Readshaws of Lancashire

Readshaw migration to Australia +

Readshaw Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Paul Readshaw, aged 22, a miner, who arrived in South Australia in 1856 aboard the ship "Nabob"

Sources +

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)
Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print