Here is some information I found on the history of my family surname. It has some interesting reading. I just thought I'd stick it on here for fun. OBVIOUSLY, I blanked out my REAL last name. Cmon now! Haven't you HEARD !??!?! They say there's ALLLLLL kinds of KOOKS on this internet thing !!!!
The ancient chronicles of England reveal the early records of the name S as a Norman surname, which ranks as one of the oldest. The history of the name is closely interwoven into the majestic tapestry which is an intrinsic part of the history of Britain.
In-depth research by skilled analysts into ancient manuscripts such as the Domesday Book (compiled in 1086 by William the Conqueror), the Ragman Rolls, the Wace poem, the Honour Roll of the Battel Abbey, The Curia Regis, Pipe Rolls, the Falaise Roll, tax records, baptismals, family genealogies, local parish and church records shows the first record of the name S was found in Gloucestershire where they were seated from very early times and were granted lands by Duke William of Normandy, their liege Lord, for their distinguished assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1086 A.D.
Many alternate spellings were found in the archives researched, typically linked to a common root, usually one of the Norman nobles at the Battle of Hastings. Although your name, S, occurred in many references, from time to time the surname included S, and these changes in spelling frequently occurred, even between father and son. Scribes recorded and spelled the name as it sounded. Typically a person would be born with one spelling, married with another, and buried with a headstone which showed another. All three spellings related to the same person. Sometimes preferences for different spelling variations resulted either from a branch preference, religious affiliation, or sometimes nationalistic statements.
The family name S is believed to be descended originally from the Norman race, frequently but mistakenly assumed to be of French origin. They were more accurately of Viking origin. The Vikings landed in the Orkneys and Northern Scotland about the year 870 A.D., under their King, Stirgud the Stout. Thorfinn Rollo, his descendant landed in northern France about the year 940 A.D. The French King, Charles the Simple, after Rollo laid siege to Paris, finally conceded defeat and granted northern France to Rollo. Rollo became the first Duke of Normandy, the territory of the north men. Rollo married Charles’ daughter and became a convert to Christianity. Duke William who invaded and defeated England in 1066, was descended from the first Duke Rollo of Normandy.
Duke William took a census of most of England in 1086, and recorded it in the Domesday Book. A family name capable of being traced back to this manuscript, or to Hastings, was a signal honour for most families during the middle ages, and even to this day.
The surname S emerged as a notable family name in the country of Gloucester wher they were recorded as a family of great antiquity seated as Lords of the manor of Henbury and estates in the shire. They were traditionally descended from S, son of the Bishop of Bayeux in Normandy. By the 14th century they had branched to Cursey in Suffolk, to Bynfield in Berkshire, to Colyton in Devonshire. Meanwhile the main stem of the family in Henbury proceeds from John to his son John, Edward, John, Edward who purchased Henbury Audelett in 1627. His son John was Sheriff of Gloucestershire as was his son Edward, but the line failed when his son John died unmarried. Junior lines continued in Leicestershire and Yorkshire. Notable amongst the family at this time was S of Gloucester.
The surname S contributed much to the local politics and in the affairs of England or Scotland. During the 11th and 12th centuries England was ravaged by religious and political conflict. The Monarchy, the Church and Parliament fought for supremacy. Religious elements vied for control, the State Church, the Roman Church and the Reform Church. All, in their time, made demands on rich and poor alike. They broke the spirit of men and many turned from religion, or alternatively, renewed their faith, pursuing with vigour and ferocity, the letter of the ecclesiastical law. Many families were freely ‘encouraged’ to migrate to Ireland, or to the ‘colonies’. Non believers or dissidents were banished, sometimes even hanged.
The settlers in Ireland became known as the ‘Adventurers for land in Ireland’. they undertook to keep the protestant faith. In Ireland they settled in the counties of Leinster and Limerick, but are now scattered throughout Ireland.
the democratic attitudes of the New World spread like wildfire. Many migrated aboard the fleet of sailing ships known as the ‘White Sails’. The stormy Atlantic, small pox, dysentery, cholera and typhoid took its toll on the settlers and many of these tine, overcrowded ships arrived with only 60 or 70% of their passenger list. The migration or banishment to the New World continued, some voluntarily from Ireland, but mostly directly from England or Scotland, their home territories. Some clans and families even moved to the European continent.
In North America, migrants which could be considered a kinsman of the family name S, or variable spellings of that same family name included Henry S arrived on the “Mayflower” in 1620; Edward S settled in Virginia in 1653; James S settled in Virginia in 1638; Peter S settled in the Barbados in 1670; Richard S settled in Boston in 1635, along with Robert; John S arrived in Philadelphia in 1798. From the port of arrival many settlers joined the wagon trains westward. During the American War of Independence some declared their loyalty to the Crown, moved northward into Canada, and became known as the United Empire Loyalists.
There were many notables of this name S, Anthony S, British Author; Arthur S, American Administrator; Martin S, American Physician; Thomas S, American accountant; William S, Australian Judge; Charles S, American Engineer.
In the process of researching this distinguished family name we also traced the most ancient grant of Arms from the branches which developed their own Arms.
The most ancient grant of a Coat of Arms found was; Black with a gold cross between four silver shellfish.
The Crest is; A lion.
The ancient family motto for this distinguished name is; “Pejus Letho Flagitium” (Disgrace is worse than Death)
Here is a record for the surname S, from the arrival on the Mayflower, up until present day; Miles Standish’s granddaughter Mercy married Henry S’s son, Caleb. Caleb begat Caleb Jr. Caleb Jr. begat Michael. Michael begat Michael Jr. Michael Jr. begat Elisha. Elisha begat William. William begat Ashton. Ashton begat Willard. Willard begat Robert. Robert begat David (ME !!!!!) Thus far, I have yet to begat.
