Sawndbech History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsThe present generation of the Sawndbech family is only the most recent to bear a name that dates back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name comes from having lived in the market-town of Sandbach which was found in the county of Cheshire. Cheshire lies on the border between England and Wales; it is the northernmost county on the border. Devastated in the 11th century by border wars between William the Conqueror and the Welsh, Cheshire's border with Wales fluctuated over the next several centuries. Today, the western portion of the Domesday era county is in Wales. 1 The place name dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 when it was known as "Sanbec." 2 Literally it means "sandy valley-stream," from the Old English "sand" + baece." 3 Early Origins of the Sawndbech familyThe surname Sawndbech was first found in Cheshire at Sandbach. While this is where the family hails, we must look to Staffordshire to find the first records of the family. For it is there that Richard de Sandebech and Roger de Sandbach were listed in the Feet of Fines 1227 and 1254. 4 "The township of Sandbach gave its name to an ancient Cheshire family which flourished up to the 13th century." 5 Early History of the Sawndbech familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sawndbech research. Another 145 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1578, 1624, 1636, 1749, 1772 and 1838 are included under the topic Early Sawndbech History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Sawndbech Spelling VariationsUntil 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 Sawndbech include Sandbach, Sandback, Sandbeck and others. Early Notables of the Sawndbech familyMore information is included under the topic Early Sawndbech Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Sawndbech familyThousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Sawndbech were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: Francis Sandbach arrived in New York in 1820; Walter Sanbecke landed in Pennsylvania in 1727.
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