Show ContentsSoloway History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Soloway is an ancient Anglo-Saxon surname that came from the personal name Saelwig which is an Old English word meaning prosperity war. The personal name Saelwig was an ancient font name that was brought to England by the Normans. After the Norman Conquest, the Old English naming system gradually dissolved. Old English names became less common and were replaced by popular continental European names. The earliest surnames in England were found shortly after the Norman Conquest and are of Norman French rather than native English origins.

Early Origins of the Soloway family

The surname Soloway was first found in Staffordshire where "about the reign of Henry III, William Salwey was Lord of Leacroft, a hamlet in the parish of Cannock in Staffordshire; hence the family removed to Stanford in Worcestershire; of which John Salwey was owner in the third of Henry IV." 1

Early History of the Soloway family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Soloway research. Another 88 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1216, 1575, 1615, 1640, 1652, 1655, 1675, 1685 and 1702 are included under the topic Early Soloway History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Soloway Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Soloway has been recorded under many different variations, including Salwey, Sewyn, Selwyn, Selwin, Sallowaye and others.

Early Notables of the Soloway family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Arthur Salwey of Stanford Court at Stanford-on-Teme, Worcestershire; and his son, Humphrey Salwey (1575-1652), an English politician, Member of Parliament for Worcestershire (1640), buried in Westminster Abbey; Richard Salwey (1615-1685?) an...
Another 38 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Soloway Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


New Zealand Soloway migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Soloway Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Marian Soloway, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Persia" in 1860
  • Mary Soloway, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Persia" in 1860
  • Mary Ann Soloway, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Persia" in 1860
  • William Soloway, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Persia" in 1860
  • Maria Soloway, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Persia" in 1860

Contemporary Notables of the name Soloway (post 1700) +

  • Jill Soloway (b. 1965), American Primetime Emmy Award winning comedian, playwright, feminist and award-winning director


The Soloway 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: Fiat voluntas dei
Motto Translation: The will of God be done.


  1. 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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