Strangeward History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The ancestry of the name Strangeward dates from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It comes from when the family lived in the settlement of Strangeways in the county of Lancashire. The surname Strangeward belongs to the large category of Anglo-Saxon habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.

Early Origins of the Strangeward family

The surname Strangeward was first found in Lancashire where it is generally thought that the name was derived from Strangwish, near Manchester which was held by the family in the 14th century. 1 In fact, the English "Gentleman Pirate" Henry Strangways (died 1562) often spelt his name "Strangwish."

Of note in early times was Thomas Strangeways (c. 1395-before 1442), husband of Katherine Strangeways who together had two daughters: Joan Strangeways, who first married Sir William Willoughby, before 20 July 1461; and Katherine Strangeways, who married Henry Grey, 4th (7th) Baron Grey of Codnor, 29 August 1454.

James Strangeways of Fyfield, a gentleman usher of the King's Chamber in London was the second husband of Lady Catherine Gordon (c. 1474-1537) and was married before 13 February 1512.

Early History of the Strangeward family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Strangeward research. Another 154 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1516, 1562, 1585, 1614, 1615, 1636, 1640, 1661, 1666, 1675 and 1676 are included under the topic Early Strangeward History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Strangeward Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Strangeward have been found, including Strangways, Strangeways, Strangwich, Strangwish, Strangeway and many more.

Early Notables of the Strangeward family

Distinguished members of the family include Sir James Strangeways (died 1516), an English politician, Speaker of the House of Commons, the son of Sir James Strangeways of Whorlton, Yorkshire; Sir John Strangways (1585-1666), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1614 and 1666, he supported the Royalist side...
Another 51 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Strangeward Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Strangeward family

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Strangeward, or a variant listed above: William and Robert Strangway settled in Maryland in 1750.

Citations +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.