| ![Show Contents]() Cambrage History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Etymology of CambrageWhat does the name Cambrage mean? The name Cambrage has a long Anglo-Saxon heritage. The name comes from when a family lived beside a bridge over the river Cam. This surname originated as a local name for natives who came from the town of Cambridge. Cambridge was in both Gloucestershire and Cambridgeshire. Early Origins of the Cambrage familyThe surname Cambrage was first found in Cambridge, a university, borough, and markettown in Cambridgeshire. "This ancient town was the Grantan-brycge, Grantabricge, or Grante-brige, of the Saxon Chronicle, signifying "the Bridge over the Granta," the ancient name of the river Cam: by the substitution of cognate letters, the Saxon compound was altered after the Norman Conquest to Cantebrige, since contracted into Cambridge. The earliest authenticated fact in its history is its conflagration, in 871, by the Danes, who established on its desolated site one of their principal stations, which they occasionally occupied until the year 901. " 1 John de Cambridge or Cantebrig (d. 1335), was an early English "judge, was of a Cambridge family, whence he took his name, and is said to have been son to Thomas Cantebrig, a judge of the exchequer under Edward II. He was M.P. for Cambridgeshire in 1321 and subsequent years, and earlier was in several judicial commissions for the county. In the last years of Edward II and early years of Edward III he is named as counsel in the year books. " 2 The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed Johannes de Cambrege as holding lands there at that time. 3 Early History of the Cambrage familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cambrage research. Another 82 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Cambrage History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Cambrage Spelling VariationsSpelling 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 Cambrage have been found, including Cambridge, Cambrigge, Cambrigg, McCambridge and others. Early Notables of the Cambrage familyMore information is included under the topic Early Cambrage Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Cambrage family to IrelandSome of the Cambrage family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Cambrage familyFamilies 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 Cambrage, or a variant listed above: Moll Cambridge who settled in Jamaica and Barbados in 1694; Nicholas Cambridge settled in New England in 1664.
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.
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
- Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
- Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
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