Show ContentsSaffewrite History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Saffewrite family

The surname Saffewrite was first found in Angus (Gaelic: Aonghas), part of the Tayside region of northeastern Scotland, and present day Council Area of Angus, formerly known as Forfar or Forfarshire, where they held a family seat at Brechin, a borough near Montrose in that shire. This name is one of the few surnames of Scotland which can truly claim to be a trade name, it being from one who make sieves. 1

Crossing the border into Yorkshire, England we found Simon le siuewricht' listed in the Assize Rolls of 1219 and John le Syvewryct' in the Subsidy Rolls of 1301. 2

However, by the 12th or 13th century the name had lost much of its relationship to a trade and the name became distinguished in its own right.

Early History of the Saffewrite family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Saffewrite research. Another 101 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1512, 1567, 1716, 1753 and 1798 are included under the topic Early Saffewrite History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Saffewrite Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Sivwright, Sievewright, Seivewright, Sivewright, Sivright, Sivwrite, Sievewrite, Seivwright, Sevright, Savewrite, Savewright, Seivwrite, Sievwrite, Siffwright, Sifwright, Sifricht and many more.

Early Notables of the Saffewrite family

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

Migration of the Saffewrite family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Andrew Sivwright arrived in Philadelphia in 1786.



The Saffewrite 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: Recte ferio
Motto Translation: I strike straight


  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)


Houseofnames.com on Facebook