Challenge History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Challenge

What does the name Challenge mean?

The name Challenge is rooted in the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It was a name for someone who was a challenger or champion. It is believed that the name was given to a knight who refused to accept the new Norman overlords at the time of the Norman Conquest. While it is not recorded what he did to express his refusal, it must have garnered him a lot of respect from his Norman chivalric peers, for they did not dispossess his descendants of their land; Phillip le Challenger was recorded in 1202, in Lincolnshire as Lord of a manor in the Assize Rolls of that county.

Early Origins of the Challenge family

The surname Challenge was first found in Lincolnshire where they held a family seat from very ancient times before and after the Norman Conquest in 1066.

Early History of the Challenge family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Challenge research. Another 123 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1202, 1382 and 1565 are included under the topic Early Challenge History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Challenge Spelling Variations

Challenge has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Challenge have been found, including Challenger, Challengor, Challinger, Challenge and others.

Early Notables of the Challenge family

Notables of this surname at this time include:

Sir Thomas Challenger

Challenge migration to the United States +

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Challenges to arrive on North American shores:

Challenge Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Sam and Marjorie Challenge, who settled in Virginia in 1654
Margery Challenge, who landed in Virginia in 1654 1
Sam Challenge, who arrived in Virginia in 1654 1

Citations +

Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)