Sturgess History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Sturgess

What does the name Sturgess mean?

The Sturgess name is said to be derived from the old Anglo-Saxon name "Styrgar" which appeared in Mercia in ancient times. "Styrgar" denoted a battle spear.

Another source claims the name was derived from "the name of an ancestor, 'the son of Thurgis or Turgis,' with prefixed 's'." 1

And another claims the name is from the Old Swedish "Thorgisl," meaning "Thor's hostage." 2

Early Origins of the Sturgess family

The surname Sturgess was first found in Northamptonshire where they held a family seat. This Anglo-Saxon family name appears to have been undisturbed by the Norman invasion of 1066 A.D., retaining their estates in Northamptonshire. Clipston, their family seat, was not granted to one of the Norman nobles after the victory at Hastings, and remained the 'King's Land' according to the Domesday Book, 3 a survey taken by Duke William of Normandy in 1086 A.D.

However, the aforementioned Domesday Book does list Hugo filius Turgisi as holding lands in Shropshire. 3 Other early entries include: Turgis Hy in Lincolnshire; Thurgis filius Owani in the Assize Rolls for Warwickshire in 1221; Henry Turgis in the Pipe Rolls for Wiltshire in 1210; Adam Thurgis in the Hundredorum Rolls for Bedfordshire in 1279; John Sturgys in the Feet of Fines for Cambridgeshire in 1353; Joan Sturge at Colchester in 1379; and Richard Sturges in London in 1481. 2

As noted, early rolls had a mix of the "T" and "S" prefix. The History of Norfolk includes: Thurgis le Caldccote, Norfolk, temp. King John; Thurgis (without surname), Lincolnshire; Turgeus de Gorton, Suffolk; Turgisius de Heredefeld, Kent; William Thurgys, Wiltshire; Adam Thurgis, Bedfordshire; and Richard Turgis, Wiltshire. 4

A century later the "S" had moved to the front of the name as seen in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379: Johannes Sturgys; Johannes Sturgys, junior. 1

Early History of the Sturgess family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sturgess research. Another 116 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1629, 1634, 1646, 1666 and 1785 are included under the topic Early Sturgess History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sturgess Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Sturgis, Sturges, Sturgiss, Sturgess, Sturge, Sturch, Sturk and many more.

Early Notables of the Sturgess family

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

Sturgess migration to Australia +

Sturgess Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. William Sturgess, English convict who was convicted in Dover, Kent, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Aurora" on 18th June 1835, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 5
William Sturgess, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Fairlee" in 1840 6
George Sturgess, aged 38, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1857 aboard the ship "Tantivy"

Contemporary Notables of the name Sturgess (post 1700) +

Jim Sturgess (b. 1978), English multiple award winning actor, known for his work on 21 (2008), Cloud Atlas (2012) and Across the Universe (2007)
John Sturgess (1864-1903), English illustrator of books and magazines
Albert Sturgess (1882-1957), English footballer
Olive Sturgess (b. 1933), Canadian actress, known for her wok on The Raven (1963), The Kettles in the Ozarks (1956) and Requiem for a Gunfighter (1965)
Sydney Sturgess (1915-1999), born Dorothy Anna Sturgess, Malaysian-born, Canadian actress best known for her work with the Shaw Festival and the Stratford Festival of Canada
Thomas Sturgess (1898-1974), Indian cricketer
Reginald Sturgess (1892-1932), Australian artist
Gary Sturgess, Australian businessperson, executive director of Serco Institute
Eric Sturgess (b. 1920), South African tennis player

Historic Events for the Sturgess family +

HMS Hood

Mr. John P Sturgess (b. 1924), English Boy 1st Class serving for the Royal Navy from Bitterne, Southampton, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 7
Mr. Cyril L Sturgess (b. 1912), English Able Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 8

The Sturgess 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: Esse quam videri
Motto Translation: To be, rather than to seem.

Sources +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Rye, Walter, A History of Norfolk. London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, 1885. Print
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 20th August 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/aurora
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) FAIRLIE/FAIRLEE 1840. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1840Fairlie.htm
H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm