Show ContentsShackburgh History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

When the ancestors of the Shackburgh family emigrated to England following the Norman Conquest in 1066 they brought their family name with them. They lived in Warwickshire which is derived from the Old English word scucca, meaning goblin or demon, and burgh meaning hill. Combined the place meant "hill or mound haunted by an evil spirit." 1 The place name was listed as Socheberge 2 in the Domesday Book of 1086.

Early Origins of the Shackburgh family

The surname Shackburgh was first found in Warwickshire at Upper Shuckburgh, a parish, in the union of Southam, Southam division of the hundred of Knightlow.

"Shuckburgh Park, the seat of the ancient family of Shuckburgh. Dugdale supposes that William de Shuckburgh, in the time of King John, was the first who assumed the name; in subsequent reigns several of the family held offices of great trust and authority in the county. The mansion is a spacious and elegant structure, in an extensive park, abounding in deer, but whose woodland recesses do not possess their former beauty, much of the timber having been felled." 3

Prior to the year 1200, their history is obscured but most assume it to be descended from Herlwin, the Domesday tenant of Shuckburgh who held the manor from the Count of Meulan in the year 1086 or from Alwin, the tenant of the other half who held it from Thorkell of Warwick. The Shuckburgh family have held the manor ever since.

Today, Shuckburgh Hall is a privately owned country house mansion and has been the home of the Shuckburgh family since the 12th century. "William de Suckberge is presumed to be the first who assumed the name, from Shuckborough Superior, in this county; he was living in the third of John." 4

Early History of the Shackburgh family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Shackburgh research. Another 132 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1160, 1210, 1596, 1650 and 1656 are included under the topic Early Shackburgh History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Shackburgh Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence in the eras before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate regularly changed the spellings of their names as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Shackburgh have been found, including Shuckburgh, Shuckborough, Shuckburg, Shuckberg and others.

Early Notables of the Shackburgh family

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

Migration of the Shackburgh family

For many English families, the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. For such families, the shores of Ireland, Australia, and the New World beckoned. They left their homeland at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. Many arrived after the long voyage sick, starving, and without a penny. But even those were greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. Numerous English settlers who arrived in the United States and Canada at this time went on to make important contributions to the developing cultures of those countries. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Shackburgh were among those contributors: Richard Shuchburgh settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1768.



The Shackburgh 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: Haec manus ob patriam
Motto Translation: This hand for my country.


  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  4. Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.


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