| ![Show Contents]() Searson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The name Searson arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Searson family lived in Essex. Their name, however, is a reference to Serez, Normandy or at the Ville of Sayers, Normandy according to the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae. 1 Alternatively, two sources claims the name was derived from an Anglo-Norman "personal name, as Saher de Quincy, the famous Earl of Winchester" or was perhaps "a forgotten personal name that has left an indelible mark on our directories. From twenty to twenty-five surnames separately spelt are the offspring, and many have a large number of representatives. The name was popular so early as Domesday as Segar and Sigar, and Latinized as Sigarus. " 2 One source believes the family was "an assayer of metals. 'When Domesday was compiled, there was always a fire ready in the Exchequer, and if they liked not the allay of the money, they burnt it, and then weighed it.' Hence the expression in Domesday, ' Lib. LVI arsas et pensatas'-56lb. burnt and weighed.-Kelham's Domesday, p. 157. The Sayer would therefore be a crown officer who assayed the precious metals." 3 Early Origins of the Searson familyThe surname Searson was first found in Essex where "the name of an old Colchester family of wealth and municipal consequence, " 4 some say from the reign of King Edmund Ironside in 1016, but this date conflicts with the more likely source of Serez, in the arrondisement of Evreux in Normandy, supporting the contention that the family was granted these lands after the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. "During the 14th century the Sayer family of Coppeford held of the King 82 acres of land in the village of Lachingdon." 4 They held a family seat there continuously from the Conquest to 1770. "As Sayer and Sayere it occurred in Norfolk, Beds, and Hants in the 13th century. The Sayers of Pulham, Norfolk, an ancient family, from which the Sayers of Eye, Suffolk, are derived, were lords of the manor of Pulham in the 17th and 18th centuries." 4 Early History of the Searson familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Searson research. Another 94 words (7 lines of text) covering the year 1630 is included under the topic Early Searson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Searson Spelling VariationsA multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Sears, Seares, Seers, Seeres, Sear, Seare, Seer and many more. Early Notables of the Searson familyMore information is included under the topic Early Searson Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the Searson family to Ireland
Some of the Searson 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.
| Searson migration to the United States | + |
Many English families left England, to avoid the chaos of their homeland and migrated to the many British colonies abroad. Although the conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and some travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute, once in the colonies, many of the families prospered and made valuable contributions to the cultures of what would become the United States and Canada. Research into the origins of individual families in North America has revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Searson or a variant listed above:
Searson Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- George Searson, aged 26, who arrived in America, in 1895
Searson Settlers in United States in the 20th Century- Walter Searson, aged 48, who arrived in America, in 1905
- James Searson, aged 48, who arrived in America from London, in 1906
- Mary Searson, aged 26, who arrived in America from Roscrea, Ireland, in 1907
- Michael Searson, aged 25, who arrived in America from Roscrea, Ireland, in 1908
- Thomas Searson, aged 28, who arrived in America from Chesterfield, England, in 1911
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
| Searson migration to Australia | + |
Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include: Searson Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century- Thomas Searson, aged 39, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1851 aboard the ship "Omega" 5
| Contemporary Notables of the name Searson (post 1700) | + |
- Harold 'Harry' Searson (1924-2013), English football goalkeeper
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: Honor et fides
Motto Translation: Honor and fidelity.
- 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)
- Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
- Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
- Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
- State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) OMEGA 1851. Retrieved http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1851Omega.htm
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Searson migration to the United States 
Searson migration to Australia 
England
Ireland
