| ![Show Contents]() Sawyerr History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Etymology of SawyerrWhat does the name Sawyerr mean? The name Sawyerr has been recorded in British history since the time when the Anglo-Saxons ruled over the region. The name is assumed to have been given to someone who was a person who worked as the sawyer. 1 2 This individual bought wood and cut it with his saw in order to sell it the towns people. Occupational names frequently were derived from the principal object associated with the activity of the original bearer, such as tools or products. These types of occupational surnames are called metonymic surnames. One source claims the name could have been Norman in origin as in "Radulphus de Sahurs, and the Ville of Sahurs, Normandy 1198." 3 While this entry is quite a bit later than the Norman Conquest, the presumption is that not all of the family accompanied the Conqueror in 1066. Early Origins of the Sawyerr familyThe surname Sawyerr was first found in various counties and shires throughout ancient Britain. The earliest record of the family was found in Berkshire where Nicholas le Sagyere was listed c. 1248. A few years later, Humfrey le Sayhare, le Sawyere, and Robert le Sawyere, le Saweare were both listed in the Assize Rolls of Somerset in 1270. 4 The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 also listed some of the first entries for the family: Ralph le Sawiere in Huntingdonshire; and Geoffrey le Sawere in London. 2 Further to the north, Philip le Sagher was listed in the Yorkshire in 1324. 4 By the 15th century, the name was frequented much further north in Scotland where Alexander Sawer was burgess of Glasgow in 1447 and Andrew Sauer was juror on inquest at Prestwick in 1470. "Thomas Sawar was friar preacher in St. Andrews, 1545." 5 Early History of the Sawyerr familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sawyerr research. Another 81 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1633, 1681, 1687, 1692, 1783, 1812, 1833, 1876, 1884, 1894 and 1896 are included under the topic Early Sawyerr History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Sawyerr Spelling VariationsThe first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Sawyerr has been spelled many different ways, including Sawyer, Sawier, Sawer and others. Early Notables of the Sawyerr familySir Robert Sawyer, of Highclere (1633-1692), Attorney General for England and Wales (1681-1687) and Speaker of the English House of Commons; and Admiral Sir Herbert Sawyer, KCB (fl. 1783-1833), British officer of...
Another 31 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Sawyerr Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Sawyerr familyThousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Sawyerrs to arrive in North America: Francis Sawyer settled in Virginia in 1635; following John in 1622; Lydia in 1655; Mary in 1649; Nicholas in 1652; Thomas in 1650; William in 1623; and they also settled in Massachusetts, Barbados, Portland, San Francisco and Philadelphia. Thomas Sawier settled in Virginia in 1620.
| Contemporary Notables of the name Sawyerr (post 1700) | + |
- Yvonne Denise Aki- Sawyerr OBE (b. 1968), née Morgan, Sierra Leonean politician and finance professional
- Queenstar Maame Pokua Sawyerr (b. 1964), Ghanaian politician and the former deputy Central Regional Minister of Ghana
- Harry Alphonso Ebun Sawyerr MBE (1909-1986), Sierra Leonean Anglican theologian and writer on African religion
- Henry Romulus Sawyerr CV (1926-2013), Ghanaian politician and surveyor
- David Peter Sawyerr (b. 1961), Sierra Leonean sprinter, he competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics
- Akintunde Oluwole Sawyerr (b. 1964), Nigerian diplomat with a background in logistics, healthcare, and agricultural development
- George Akilagpa Sawyerr FGA (b. 1939), Ghanaian academic
- Sofolahan Josiah Sawyerr Esq. (1877-1919), known as S.J. Sawyerr, Nigerian nationalist, legislator, and philanthropist
- Patrick Sawyerr (1947-2025), French ice hockey player and coach, son of professional boxer Henri Soya, originally from Conakry, Guinea
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: Cherches et tu trouveras
Motto Translation: Search and you will find.
- Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
- Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
- The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
- Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
 |
